Atletico Madrid are reportedly looking to poach Barcelona again as they target veteran left-back Jordi Alba this summer.
The Blaugrana are looking to lower their wage bill this summer to allow them to sign new players, including their former star Lionel Messi.
They currently owe Alba around €38 million of salary due to deferred wages this summer, with his contract at Camp Nou set to expire in 2024. As such, Joan Laporta might either offer the 34-year-old a new deal with a pay cut or offload him this summer.
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Although the Spanish defender has reiterated his desire to stay at the Catalan club beyond this summer, the emergence of Alejandro Balde at left-back has reduced Alba to a limited role under Xavi this season.
He is no longer the first choice left back, and his prominence in the team will only diminish next season, with Marcos Alonso also an option in that position.
But Atletico Madrid feels that Alba still has a lot to offer and could be tempted to sign him this summer, according to a report by GOAL.
The Madrid-based club will try to test Barca’s resolve to keep the player beyond this summer. But according to the report, the Spanish La Liga champions could use Atletico’s interest in Alba to acquire the services of Yannick Carrasco, who has been one of the key members of Diego Simeone’s side. The Belgian is an experienced head in the Los Rojiblancos saud and was key to their challenge for the second spot in La Liga following tremendous performances since the turn of the year.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are also reportedly interested in Alba, but Barcelona have the better option of working a deal with Atletico that benefits both clubs.
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