Barcelona are reportedly preparing to offload veteran left-back Jordi Alba in order to free up finances on their wages. The Blaugrana have been hit by financial difficulties and are looking to part ways with the Spaniard in order to settle scores at the Nou Camp.
According to El Nacional, Barca president Joan Laporta is considering the departure of Alba, 33. He has endured a topsy-turvy season, featuring 18 times in competitions and 13 in Xavi’s starting line-up, providing five assists.
He has been replaced by 19-year-old Alejandro Balde in Barcelona’s defence, while summer signing Marcos Alonso also claims to be a permanent left-back. Alba’s departure is considered beneficial for the economy of the Catalan giant.
Despite playing minutes with Marcos Alonso and Alejandro Balde, Jordi Alba already has 5 assists this season. https://t.co/tXwTlfRw3T
However, the Spanish defender does not want to leave the club. He has been a player in Barcelona’s senior team for almost 11 years since joining from Valencia in 2012. His contract does not expire until 2024. But Laporta and director of football Mateu Alemany know the wage bill must be reduced. Alba is currently one of the top earners, with £186,000 (€207,000) a week, according to Salary Sport. Barca will want to secure his departure and receive a transfer fee rather than the player seeing out his contract and leaving for free.
Barcelona want to sign Villarreal defender Juan Foyth
Although Barcelona are trying to balance the books at the Nou Camp, they are still on the lookout for acquisitions. They are aiming to sign the right-back and are showing an interest in Villarreal’s Foyth.
Fichajes reports that Barca are keen to snap up Foyth, 25, in the summer transfer window. He made 12 appearances, scoring one goal and registering two assists. He helped the Yellow Submarine keep six clean sheets.
The Blaugrana do not have a natural right-back and Sergi Roberto and Jules Kounde have been makeshift right-backs throughout the campaign. Hector Bellerin left the Nou Camp in January to join Sporting CP for €1 million. The Spaniard joined Xavi’s team only last summer from Arsenal on a free transfer.
Rumor has it that Foyth’s transfer is worth 25 million euros. He was part of the Argentina team that won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year. The right back appeared as a substitute in the semi-final triumph over Croatia. Xavi will get the chance to see Foyth up close when Barcelona travel to El Madrigal to face Villarreal on Sunday (February 12).