According to reports, Jordi Alba is yet to be offered a new contract by Barcelona, despite the Spanish giants promising that a fresh deal was in the works 18 months ago.
Alba, who is currently with Spain in Russia for the World Cup, joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2012. He enjoyed a fantastic season at the Camp Nou last season, creating 11 goals as Barcelona lifted the league title under manager Ernesto Valverde.
The 29-year-old has two years left on his current contract with Barcelona and has a €60m release clause but the player has been waiting for the club to offer him a new deal for over a year now, as suggested by his agent Vicente Fores.
While Alba has time and again spoken of his desire to end his career at the Camp Nou, here are three destinations for the Spaniard to consider, should he decide to leave for the Premier League.
Liverpool
Should Alba become available, Liverpool should consider signing him from Barcelona.
Andrew Robertson has been an undoubted hit at Anfield since joining from Hull City last summer but bringing in someone of Alba’s quality would only do well for the young Scot’s development, while the Reds would also benefit.
Alba is one of the best left-backs in Europe and his arrival would give Liverpool more impetus and flair down the left flank. Due to the Spaniard’s pace, energy and enthusiasm, he would be an ideal fit to Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane style of play.
However, the Reds will have to pay Alba’s release clause of €60m to Barcelona. In today’s highly inflated market, it’s still a steal for a player of Alba’s quality.
Manchester United
As per reports, Manchester United are interested in signing Alba this summer.
Manchester United had issues at the left-back spot last season, with manager Jose Mourinho playing Ashley Young out of position for the majority of the campaign. Serious doubts remain over Luke Shaw’s future following a turbulent season, while Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have been linked with leaving Old Trafford.
Given that United currently lack a natural option on the left-hand side of their defence, a quality player such as Alba can solve that problem and bring some balance to the team. Scoring three goals and providing eight assists, Alba demonstrated his energetic forward play last season. But he never compromised his defensive duties.
Alba is one of the finest left-backs in world football and should Mourinho succeed in luring him to Old Trafford, it would represent a massive coup.
Tottenham Hotspur
Alba has a contract at Barcelona until the summer of 2020 but he is yet to be offered a new deal by the club which has led to murmurs of a possible departure.
And according to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are considering making a move for the Spaniard.
Danny Rose is arguably one of the best left-backs in England but he struggled last season due to injuries. Ben Davies was Spurs’ first-choice left-back for the majority of the 2017/18 campaign and he did extremely well. But Alba is a much refined player.
Alba is altogether in a different league and his technical abilities and attacking threat would make him a ready-made first-choice left-back for Spurs under Mauricio Pochettino.
The only stumbling block for Tottenham could be that Alba has a €60m release clause in his Barcelona contract. But if the north London club manage to sign the Spaniard, he would be a fantastic addition to Pochettino’s talented side.
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