Barcelona looking to replace Jordi Alba with former La Masia defender | OneFootball

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Barca Universal

·15 January 2022

Barcelona looking to replace Jordi Alba with former La Masia defender

Article image:Barcelona looking to replace Jordi Alba with former La Masia defender

FC Barcelona are in the middle of quite the revamp. They are in the process of cutting ties with some players so as to make way for others. One name added to this list is that of Jordi Alba, who Barça want out in place of Alex Grimaldo, according to El Nacional.

Alba has been at Barcelona for a decade, now; quite successfully as well. For most of his time donning the garnet and blue of Barça, he has been among the best left-backs in the world. His proficiency in attack is one of his most significant selling points.


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Since his debut in the 2008/09 season, he has recorded 86 career assists and scored 31 goals, making him one of the most effective attacking fullbacks of the modern game.

The Catalans feel the need to part ways because they feel that Alba does not offer enough to the team. From a purely offensive standpoint, he has been far too predictable in attack this season while providing next to nothing at the back.

His cutbacks were largely effective with Lionel Messi, but the Blaugrana feel that he has struggled since the Argentine’s departure. This is despite the fact that Alba has six assists already this season.

The problem, thus, lies more in the defensive point of things than it does the offensive. One could argue that for every goal he creates for the team, there is another that he is giving away. The Spaniard does not have the speed he did early on in his career and has never been proficient in defence, and that is especially the case this season.

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Barcelona have looked for alternatives for Alba. One player who is seen as his replacement is Benfica left-back Grimaldo. He has three goals and assists each to his name this season in the league, and given his past with Barcelona, he could adapt to La Liga quickly and proficiently.

The Spaniard has been on a number of clubs’ radars this campaign, and he wants to go to Barcelona above all else. Teams such as Juventus and Chelsea are hot on his tail, for example.

Speaking of Alba replacements, though, Jose Gaya of Valencia is a name that finds himself linked to Barcelona every transfer window without fail. He would reportedly cost around €20 million in the summer and is priority numero uno for Joan Laport and co.

Grimaldo’s asking price, however, is set at €30 million, as Benfica know they cannot demand much higher than that. Grimaldo reportedly has no desire whatsoever to remain at the club. With his contract ending in 2023 and him entering his theoretical prime, this would be Barça’s best shot at getting him.

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