Manchester City target Jordi Alba will leave Barcelona in the summer, should they purchase Theo Hernandez and appoint Carlos Unzué as manager.
According to a report in Don Balon, the 28-year-old fullback does not want current Barcelona assistant manager Juan Carlos Unzué to take over the managerial reigns from Luis Enrique at the end of the season and will leave in the summer, should the 50-year-old be appointed.
Alba has played lesser than he would have liked this season, due to Luis Enrique’s experimentation with the formation and his rotation policy. The arrival of another left back at the club may be the last straw for Alba, who already has to compete with Lucas Digne for a starting role.
Barcelona have been linked with a move to add to the position Alba plays in, which has brought forward rife speculation of the Spaniard being on the cusp of exit from the club, with several top clubs interested in the player.
The Spanish International had made his displeasure of not playing enough this season clear to the Barcelona hierarchy a while ago and should he leave, Alba’s most likely destination in the summer could be in England, at Manchester City.
Cross town rivals Manchester United were also reported to be interested in acquiring the fullback, amidst growing concerns over Luke Shaw’s future at the club. Alba is said to be keen admirer of Jose Mourinho and would be open to move to Old Trafford in the summer.
At City, Alba would reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola, who brought him back to the club in the summer of 2012 from Valencia. The 46-year-old is reportedly in touch with Alba as he tries to convince the City board to make a move for the fullback in the summer.
Guardiola is on the hunt for players who are familiar with his philosophy and having spent 2 seasons with him at Barcelona, Alba fits the bill perfectly. He would cost Premier League a cool €35 million, an amount the Citizens will not think twice before paying.
Alba’s arrival would also help Guardiola solve a fourth of his defensive issues. The former Bayern Munich boss has tried numerous permutations and combinations with regard to setting up his defence over the course of his debut season, but has failed to determine his first choice back four.
City will be preparing for yet another massive spending spree in the upcoming transfer window and the imminent overhaul of the squad will take place as result, as Guardiola tries to build the squad in his image and get his side ready to challenge Chelsea & co for top honours once again.
