Report: Barcelona ready to hear offers for 32-year-old starter defender

Barcelona seem to have opened the doors for veteran defender Jordi Alba to leave the club in the summer. The 32-year-old has been a pillar in the Blaugrana side for almost a decade now, having returned to the club in 2012 after a stint with Valencia.

Alba, a veteran of nearly 400 appearances for Barcelona, turned back the clock in the 2020/21 campaign, putting in some stunning displays, especially from the wing-back position following the switch in formation by manager Ronald Koeman.

The 32-year-old ended the campaign with a return of five goals and 15 assists from 49 games in all competitions – no Barcelona player set up more goals than the Spanish international did, with captain Lionel Messi coming the closest with 14.

At 32, though, Alba is entering the final phase of his career and it seems like Barcelona are ready to cash in on the veteran, amid serious interest from Serie A champions Inter Milan. As reported by Cat Radio, the Catalan giants have informed the Nerazzurri that they are willing to listen to offers for the senior left-back.

This does come as a bit of a strange decision from Barcelona considering that they have no reliable backup for Alba at this point in time. Junior Firpo has struggled in his two-year stint at Camp Nou and is widely expected to depart in the summer.

But, the Catalans have been heavily linked with a move for Valencia captain Jose Luis Gaya, who can be an able replacement for Alba, in case the club do decide to part ways with him.

As for Inter Milan, reports earlier in the week have claimed that they are looking for potential swap arrangements with Barcelona for Alba. Whether such a deal would be of appeal to the Blaugrana remains to be seen, although Alessandro Bastoni is one player who is said to be someone that the club admire.

Stats from Transfermarkt