Xavi is fine with the departure of Barcelona legend – report

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez would be open to the sale of veteran defender Jordi Alba if the club sign Marcos Alonso before the transfer window slams shut.

This claim comes from journalist Juan Jimenez Salvado on AS, who reports that the potential arrival of Alonso would have a direct effect on the standing of Alba within the Barça squad.

Alba has been the club’s undisputed starter at left-back for nine years now, having joined from Valencia in 2012. Rightly regarded as a legend at the club, the 33-year-old began the new season as the first-choice but has seen young Alejandro Balde get the nod over him recently.

Indeed, reports indicate that Xavi was unhappy with Alba’s performances in the season opener against Rayo Vallecano, following which Balde has started in both the league games versus Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid.

With president Joan Laporta reportedly promising Alonso that Barça will sign him before the window closes, the Spaniard’s arrival could further send Alba down the pecking order.

In such a scenario, Xavi would not be against sanctioning the departure of his former teammate and one of the current captains, Alba.

However, Barcelona are aware that finding a suitor for the ex-Valencia ace this late in the transfer window.

But there could be a chance that the senior left-back himself seeks an exit as his chance of making it to the Spain squad for the World Cup later this year might hinge on him playing regularly.

All in all, it promises to be a very busy end to the transfer window at Spotify Camp Nou, which could see Alba possibly securing a shock exit.

If he does not leave, the 33-year-old would have to settle for a similar role to that of fellow club captain Gerard Pique, who has not taken the field even once in the new season.