Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has issued a cryptic response to rumours that he could leave the club, amid interest from Manchester United. Jordi Alba is reportedly a target for Man Utd in January as the club looks to overhaul their defensive department. The left-back spoke to the media after Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last month, and admitted his requests to talk about extending his contract at the Camp Nou beyond 2020 had been ignored. He said: “I don’t know what the club think of me and it’s strange because there’s not much more of my contract left.
“My intentions are to finish my career here, but we’ll see as I don’t know what their intentions are or when they think it will be convenient to call me.” Alba’s current deal reportedly possesses a €150m release clause, which may alert United should no agreement on an extension be reached. Now, the Spain international has re-iterated his happiness at the Nou Camp, but failed to rule out a possible departure.
“You never know in football, but I repeat that my intention is to stay here come what may. I have never seen myself outside of Barcelona, since I have been at Barca it’s my dream [to stay]. As the years have passed I have kept growing and I notice the affection from the fans even more. I have always seen myself in Barcelona and my dream is to retire here.” he told Sport. A report from Mundo Deportivo last month even suggested that Barcelona are eyeing star Lyon defender Ferland Mendy as a possible replacement for Alba.
In related events, Paris Saint-Germain have declared “commercial war” on Barcelona and will go after Philippe Coutinho, according to a report in France. PSG are understood to be fuming after the Catalan club sealed the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax for €75m this week. Holland international midfielder De Jong was believed to be sporting director Antero Henrique’s No.1 January target, and his move to Catalonia has left a sour taste in the mouth of the Ligue 1 champions.
The feeling is so bad that RMC Sport journalist Daniel Riolo reports that PSG are ready to enter a “commercial war” with Barcelona in revenge for pinching De Jong. That means that PSG, backed by Qatar Sports Investments, are planning on signing Coutinho. The Brazilian has yet to flourish at the Camp Nou since his £142m move from Liverpool last winter. The 26-year-old has scored just four goals in 11 LaLiga starts, but he has not scored since October and speculation has emerged about his future. Last January Coutinho penned a contract until 2023 and he has a €400m release clause, but that has not stopped talk of a move with Don Balon recently claiming Barca would sell Coutinho if they received an offer of €150m.
There have been rumours he could be heading back to England – with Manchester United linked. Liverpool have also been mentioned as suitors to re-sign their former star, while Don Balon on Wednesday stated Coutinho has been the subject of a €100m offer from Chelsea this month as they look to replace Eden Hazard, who is being tipped to sign for Real Madrid this summer