Just a few days ago, Mateu Alemany was all ready to turn his back on his final year of contract at Barcelona and move to Aston Villa instead.
He wanted a new challenge and had become frustrated with the constraints, both financial and otherwise, at Barcelona, at least according to the Catalan club’s local media.
Then, in what was supposed to be one of the final meetings Alemany would have with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, he expressed that he’d changed his mind.
Rather than going to Aston Villa, Alemany wanted to stay where he was and continue the project at the Camp Nou. That pleased Barcelona and despite the club having earlier released an official statement about the Spaniard leaving them, everything relating to that was ditched and he’s been allowed to continue.
Some in the Catalan media pointed the finger of blame towards Aston Villa, saying Unai Emery’s side had promised the world to Alemany before it became clear they couldn’t deliver that.
Alemany has now given his own stance, and Sport quote him as saying: “The reality is that there was an impressive project at Aston Villa, but I have been clear that my place is here, this is the best club in the world and I am totally committed to helping to dominate European football in the coming years.
“After a personal reflection, my place is here, it is the biggest club in the world and I want to be here for a long time. I’ve always had the love of the people and that’s what’s important.”
