MLS upstarts Inter Miami are reportedly interested in signing veteran defensive duo Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba from Barcelona.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba could leave Barcelona in the January transfer window. And MLS might be the next destination for the ageing defensive duo, with Inter Miami keen on signing him this winter.
Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba have been stalwarts for Barcelona for the past decade. The duo has been part of a formidable backline that has also included legends like Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, and Javier Mascherano, among others. And together, they have enjoyed unprecedented success at Camp Nou.
Pique is currently in his second stint with Barcelona, returning from Manchester United over a decade and a half ago. Likewise, Alba is also in his second spell with the Blaugrana, rejoining the Catalan club from Valencia in 2010. But the veteran defenders have shown signs of regression in the last few years.
Alba, in particular, is a shell of the player he was at his peak and has become a liability for Barcelona. On the other hand, Pique is at the bottom of the pecking order for centre-backs. And Xavi Hernandez and Joan Laporta are reportedly keen on offloading Pique as soon as possible.
The same holds true for Alba, with Barcelona reportedly in the market for a left-back. Recent reports have linked the Blaugrana with several candidates, including Alex Moreno. And with Marcos Alonso and Alejandro Balde ahead of Alba in the pecking order, the Spaniard’s days are numbered.
Barcelona will look to offload Pique and Alba in the January transfer window. In doing so, they can also ensure a quicker transition to the squad that Xavi desires. And Inter Miami might offer the Blaugrana a way out from the current predicament in the January transfer window.
The MLS upstarts are preparing for the 2023 season. And getting in Pique and Alba from Barcelona will help them get the squad in shape in time for the campaign to start. It will be interesting to see if the veteran defensive duo will be open to leaving Barcelona for an MLS club. If not, the Catalan giants will be in limbo over their futures.
