Atletico Madrid given boost as Barcelona set to drop out of race for 24-year-old free agent | OneFootball

Barcelona are making decisions on who to go for in the upcoming transfer window, both on the pitch and on the bench, and it appears that one of those calls will benefit Atletico Madrid and Villarreal. Despite reports that one of Barcelona’s three targets this summer will be a left-back, along with a left-winger and midfielder, Marca say that they will not sign a left-sided defender.

That is because Barcelona will try to save money on a back-up for Alejandro Balde. While the Blaugrana will reportedly consider offers for Balde, unless they do sell him, they will be concerned merely with replacing veteran Marcos Alonso as an alternative to Balde, who is out of contract this summer. Earmarked for that role is Alex Valle, a La Masia product who is on loan at Levante currently.

Bojan Krkic has been keeping an eye on Valle all season has clearly seen enough to be convinced that Valle can make the jump. He has started 21 games for Levante in Segunda, and has been decent if unspectacular thus far.

It does mean that Sergi Cardona, who is out of contract with Las Palmas at the end of the season, and was reportedly being watched by the Blaugrana, has one less suitor, provided the reports are credible. Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have also been closely linked with Cardona, who has informed Las Palmas that he will not be extending his deal beyond the summer.