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What's the story?
According to Spanish media outlet Sport, FC Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba is set to extend his stay with the club as the club hierarchy are determined to renew his contract.
In case you didn't know...
Jordi Alba is one of the vital cogs in Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona. He has featured in 20 games in the La Liga and racked up 7 assists and 1 goal despite being a left back. The 29-year-old Spanish left-back also has a goal and 3 assists in just 5 appearances in the Champions League.
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It is crystal clear that Alba is key to Ernesto Valverde's plans and his remarkable chemistry with Lionel Messi on the pitch is surely a factor. Alba provides much-needed strength offensively during his overlaps but never neglects Barcelona's rearguard stability.
The heart of the matter
The renewal of Jordi Alba is already the priority of FC Barcelona's hierarchy. The club extended coach Ernesto Valverde's contract yesterday and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu only has one renewal pending.
According to the report, Josep Bartomeu publicly promised the renewal of Jordi Alba a few months ago and things are set to work out after the crucial Champions League clash between Lyon and Barcelona.
The agents of Jordi Alba were in Barcelona on Thursday to close the renewals of the youth players Jorge Cuenca and Labinot Kabashi. Although Alba's representatives didn't meet Bartomeu, Barcelona president has assured that the contract renewal with the veteran left back is just a matter of time.
Rumour possibility/rating: 8/10
Since Sport have contacts in Barcelona, coupled with the fact that Jordi Alba is indispensable for Barcelona, this story holds a lot of weight.
What's next?
FC Barcelona are set to play Real Valladolid tonight and will face crucial clashes in the coming month, as they face French side Lyon in the Champions League round of 16 and Sevilla, before facing Real Madrid in two back to back 'El Clasicos'- one in the Copa Del Rey and one in La Liga.
Jordi Alba is irreplaceable on the left flank and the club hierarchy understands the necessity of a contract renewal of the veteran Spanish left-back.
