Barcelona should gear up for a fight over Jordi Alba in January
Contract negotiations with Jordi Alba are still ongoing
Along with Real Madrid counterpart Marcelo, Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba can lay claim to the throne of the best left-back in the world. The 29-year old former Valencia left-back is one of the most important members of the first-team, and his contract expires in 2020.
Éric Abidal and his predecessor Robert Fernández have been in negotiations with Alba’s agent, Vicente Forés, but a consensus couldn’t be reached. Forés is demanding a huge pay hike for his client, and the club is unwilling to match his demands.
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But now, Abidal may need to consider giving in to Alba’s demands, especially considering that the January transfer window is just a couple of months away. The Spain international has already expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, and many clubs are ready to oblige him.
In fact, Manchester United has already registered interest in signing Jordi Alba. Despite his recent resurgence, Luke Shaw remains unreliable due to his injury-prone nature. José Mourinho wants a new world-class left-back at Old Trafford, and Ed Woodward may move for Alba in January.
Barcelona should be ready for a fight over Alba’s signature which is due to take place in January. Due to their financial might, Manchester United will be able to match or even exceed Alba’s demands, and the club should not give in.
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Regardless, Éric Abidal has more time than his United counterpart. But he should accelerate negotiations in order to reach an agreement, and it may require some compromises on the part of the club. But right now, Barça simply cannot afford to lose a player like Jordi Alba.