While the midfield pivot position is the most glaring weakness in the current FC Barcelona squad, the Catalans will also have to work a lot to strengthen their flanks going into the next season.
As things stand, Barcelona have only three natural fullbacks in their squad, i.e., Joao Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, and Marcos Alonso, while Hector Fort has also got some opportunities to play with the first team.
However, from among these players, only Joao Cancelo is playing regularly, as Balde is currently out injured, while Alonso is not in Xavi’s plans. Even Cancelo is not playing in his natural position, as he has to cover for Balde on the left flank, while Jules Kounde is playing on the right.
Marcos Alonso is also very close to leaving Barcelona at the end of this season, and this situation leaves the Catalans very thin on the flanks. To cope with the situation Barcelona are planning to extend Cancelo’s loan this summer, and getting Julian Araujo back from Las Palmas.
However, as SPORT has noted, Alex Valle, another fullback who is currently playing on loan with Levante, can be another option for Barcelona.
The youngster joined Levante on loan last summer, after having returned to Barcelona from a loan at Andorra last season, and featuring for Barcelona in the pre-season tour of the USA.
He is an important player in the Levante squad, as he has played in 23 of a possible 33 games this season, and is the third-highest player to have gotten the most minutes (1907) in the team.
Thus, as Valle gains valuable experience playing in the second division, he can be an intriguing option for the Catalans going into the next season.
However, his revaluation at Levante can benefit Barcelona in other ways as well, as the Catalans are currently short on funds, and his sale can bring in some much-needed funds, with Las Palmas one of the most interested clubs.
