Amidst reports of Marcos Alonso being put up for sale by Barcelona, Javi Miguel of AS is reporting that manager Xavi Hernandez likes academy ace Alex Valle a lot and sees him as an option for the left-back slot for the future.
Just a while ago, reports emerged claiming that Barcelona had decided to offload Alonso this summer as the registration of his new contract would cost them €9 million in salary space.
With Jordi Alba having already left and Alonso potentially on his way out, the Blaugrana will need a left-back to provide cover for Alejandro Balde and they are not in a position to sign a new player.
Valle set for a first-team berth?
This could open the doors for Alex Valle to get an opportunity with the first-team setup.
The 19-year-old is a product of the Barcelona youth academy and has gone on to make 22 appearances for the Barça Atletic squad.
Valle left the second half of the last season away on loan at FC Andorra, where he featured seven times and made a decent impression.
The teenager was part of the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, where he made his unofficial debut against AC Milan in the last friendly game.
Now, he is expected to continue under Xavi’s command with the first team and in case Alonso does end up departing, Valle could be primed for a bigger role with the senior setup in the upcoming campaign.
If Alonso stays, it might not be a surprise to see the youngster leave on loan. Either ways, Xavi likes Valle the teenager a lot and sees him and Balde as the club’s long-term left-back options.
The post Xavi likes teenage Barcelona academy full-back a lot, sees him as a future option appeared first on Barca Universal.