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Barcelona identify Jordi Alba’s ideal successor as potential signing

By Ernesto Hernandez

PORTO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 27: Alex Telles of FC Porto looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Porto and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Estadio do Dragao on February 27, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 27: Alex Telles of FC Porto looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Porto and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Estadio do Dragao on February 27, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona have reportedly found their next left-back as they hope to close-in on Jordi Alba’s long-term replacement following Junior Firpo’s failure.

The left-side of Barcelona’s defense has come into question this past season. Neither Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet have locked down the center-back spot and Jordi Alba has missed a considerable amount of time with injury.

The left-back position used to be one of strength but it’s been exposed whenever Alba has been unavailable. Junior Firpo has not inspired confidence whenever he’s featured.

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It should come as no surprise then that the club want to improve in that position.

According to Diario Sport, Barcelona are interested in signing Brazilian left-back, Alex Telles, from Porto.

The Catalan outlet claim that the player is high on the club’s priority list and has all the qualities they are looking for.

Barcelona were interested in Telles heading into this season but did not want to pay the €40 million release clause. It’s why they opted to sign Junior Firpo instead.

But not they feel they have a better chance of signing him as Telles’ contract is about to run out and negotiations between him and Porto appear to have stalled.

However, Barcelona are not alone in their interest as Chelsea have also reportedly set their sights on the 26-year-old.

With Jordi Alba already 31, the club know they need to get younger and Telles ticks that box. What it also says is they likely have no intention of re-acquiring Marc Cucurella who has shined, on loan, with Getafe. Juan Miranda still has another season on loan with Schalke 04 so his return is also unlikely.

Despite Telles’ contract ending in 2021, he may ultimately be out of their price range. With Chelsea also in the mix, his fee is likely to still  be hefty and Porto are going to try to get as close to the full release clause as they can.

Signing a player from Portugal always carries a risk. Nelson Semedo, another full-back, came from Benfica and has yet to solidify himself as a starter. Still, Telles would signify an upgrade from Firpo and Alba, who relies on pace, is not getting any younger.

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Whether or not they can sign him will now depend on who they can offload during the offseason. Telles is one of four players Barcelona are said to be following and clubs aren’t going to sell low.

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