Barcelona need a left back.
That Jordi Alba has picked up a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards has brought that truth home clearly. There’s been some confusion in the Catalan media this week as to why Barcelona now appear overly stacked in central defence, but are really short at left back.
It’s felt that after Lucas Digne’s summer exit to Everton the position hasn’t been considered enough, and should have been addressed during the winter market.
Alba’s contract situation is always a worry, with his current deal expiring in June 2020. The assumption is the 29 year old will renew soon enough but until he does there’s always the chance of a breakdown in relationship.
Even with a renewal, the left back gap is still glaring, and Saturday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo reveals what they say are the three targets under consideration, and it’s certainly a mix.
Lyon’s Ferland Mendy is the favourite, and the one most pleasing Eric Abidal. He renewed his contract last year, the current one lasts until 2023, and he won’t be cheap.
Filipe Luis sees his contract with Atletico Madrid end this summer, and, surprisingly, Mundo believe he’s another option.
It’s stated the 33 year old would accept being back-up to Alba, and it’s also explained signing someone at the end of their career would allow Miranda to develop further.
The third named option is Junior Firpo. The 22 year old has a €50m buyout clause at Betis, and the Catalan newspaper believe that figure would come down if Miranda was included in the operation.
