FC Barcelona and their veterans carry a special connection with one another that goes well beyond the field. However, despite all the love and admiration, there comes a time when hands need to be shaken and departures are expected to happen.
Jordi Alba is 34 years old and continues still to be a virtuous defender of the Blaugrana badge and symbol. The left-back has defended the Barcelona colors valiantly since both his early youth days at the club and then his arrival to the club all the way back in 2012 from Valencia for a fee of €14 million.
As per Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish full-back continues to attract interest from across the footballing world despite his entourage making it clear that he wishes to stay and see out his remaining contract with FC Barcelona.
According to the report, the most recent admirer is none other than La Liga Santander side Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Simeone. As they once did with Luis Suarez following his FC Barcelona departure, they plan to repeat the formula with the currently conflicted Jordi Alba, whose progression they continue to monitor closely.
Similar to other teammates, Alba currently is contracted on the basis of a growing salary that would inevitably see him receiving a major chunk of next season’s salary budget despite the veteran not even being the primary full-back anymore as his place has since been taken by youngster Alejandro Balde.
To maintain their financial sustainability and avoid having to pay off such a huge amount on the basis of prior contracts, Barcelona would look to offload the veteran or have him agree to a wage reduction.
This news of Atletico Madrid’s interest comes after the previous revelation that Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal also value Jordi Alba and would pursue his signing alongside that of the departing Sergio Busquets should the side from the Middle East manage to capture their primary Argentine target, Lionel Messi.
