For most of this summer, Barcelona have been looking to add a left-back to their squad and it appeared they had got their man in Junior Firpo.
The young Betis star, who had been linked to Liverpool and Tottenham, looked to be on his way to the Nou Camp in a big-money move.
However, the deal is yet to be completed and Mundo Deportivo report today that Barca may have now turned their attention to someone else. That man is David Alaba.
The newspaper says that Barca were keen on Firpo but doubt whether spending over €25m on a back up is a good choice, particularly if that player will halt the progress of their own young starlet, Miranda.
With that in mind, they’ve turned their attention to other options and Alaba is one they’ve identified.
The arrival of Lucas Hernandez mean he is no longer ‘indispensable’ for Bayern and his refusal to extend his current deal past 2021 has pushed Bayern to consider a sale.
Barcelona have already been in contact with both the Bundesliga champions and the player, and received different responses. Bayern have said he is not for sale but according to the newspaper ‘the reality is different.’ Alaba, for his part, ‘does not rule it out’.
Barca value Alaba highly though, particularly because he can play in multiple positions and would therefore drastically strengthen the squad and that suggests this is a rumour that could move quickly if they really push for it.
