Barcelona to hold future talks with defender this month, two options to be discussed

Xavi Hernandez has enjoyed a rare gold mine of resources at left-back this season. In Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba, the Spanish tactician enjoys the services of three starting quality options.

Balde has proven his worth time and time again to the manager and is the undisputed first choice for Xavi. The young talent has the manager’s backing even on the big nights and is touted to have a long future at Spotify Camp Nou.

Marcos Alonso has interestingly taken over as the preferred backup, leaving Jordi Alba with few minutes this season. The Spanish left-back, who has been a regular feature for the club over the past decade, has suddenly fallen to a mere presence on the bench.

According to reports from SPORT, Barcelona see the surplus of options as a bane. The club wish to negotiate with Alba over a departure or a wage slasher for next season and talks are set to begin in April.

The player is said to be happy in Catalonia and wishes to see out his contract that expires in 2024 and places him as the side’s top earner next season. He is willing to fight for a place and will reconsider his future only at the end of his deal.

Such a situation would leave the club with two options, the first of which would be to offer Alba the letter of freedom. The other proposal on the table would be to extend his contract for another season or two, so as to spread his remaining salary over a longer period and ease the wage bill.

Joan Laporta is on a desperate mission to push his players towards a wage cut, for it is the only feasible way in which the club can make the summer signings they dream of. As one of the highest earners in the squad, the negotiations with Alba will thus be pivotal.