Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Jordi Alba and Adama Traore

Jordi Alba’s blistering vertical forays on the left flank have been a patent of Barcelona’s encapsulating attacking play in recent seasons, but it would seem all has not been well with the Spanish international full-back.

Indeed, according to Luis Rojo of Marca, the former Valencia man’s agent got in touch with Manchester City about a potential transfer at the end of October, not long after Alba was dropped by manager Luis Enrique for the Blaugrana’s clash with rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Rojo went on to explain some other reasons as to why the player’s agent enquired about a potential move:

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The reason for getting in contact with the English club was twofold.

Firstly, to see if City might be interested in the player and willing to make an offer to sign him - although Alba himself was not sure if he wanted to leave his club or not. 

The second reason was that said possible offer could be used as leverage to get more from any negotiations with Barça, as the player's pay is nowhere near in line with his present worth.

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This news will come as something of a concern to Barcelonistas. After all, despite being unneeded for the aforementioned el Clasico showdown, Alba has been enjoying an excellent season at the Camp Nou. Here's how he's fared in comparison to Europe's other elite left-backs in league matches this season:

	Alba	Alaba	Azpilicueta	Marcelo
Apps (Sub)	13	10	14	14
Goals	1	0	0	0
Assists	2	1	2	4
Key Passes per Game	1.1	1.2	0.6	1
Sucessful Dribbles per Game	1.1	1.6	0.3	1.2
Tackles per Game	1.9	1.2	2.9	2.2
Interceptions per Game	1.8	1.8	1.8	1.1

With Neymar roaming from the left wing in front of him, the Spaniard’s role is critical both defensively and offensively. He certainly has the requisite energy to cover for the Brazilian's saunters away from the flank, while in advanced areas, Alba offers lateral width to stretch opponents and a real threat in behind given his scintillating pace.

Spanish football writer Lee Roden paid tribute to his recent displays:

Encouragingly for the Camp Nou faithful, it has since been reported that the club are considering offering the 25-year-old an extended contract, per Marca (h/t barcastuff):

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Barcelona are considering to renew the contract of left back Jordi Alba (25). His current contract expires in 2017. [marca]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 23, 2014"

With no natural replacement for Alba in the squad, a new contract would be excellent news for the the Catalonians. After all, if he was to force a move away from the club in January or in the summer, Barca would not be able to bring in a replacement for a considerable time; their 12-month embargo on incoming transfers begins in January.

One player that a few Barcelona fans may be happy to see leave the club is promising 18-year-old Adama Traore, on a temporary deal, though, of course. The young winger is highly regarded and perhaps it is little surprise that a host of clubs are desperate to take Traore on loan, including Everton and Liverpool, per Metro (h/t football-espana.net).

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

According to the piece, the Toffees are the favourites to land the winger on loan until the end of the current campaign and representatives from both clubs have already started talks about a potential January deal.

Traore provided a stunning show of his undeniable quality in Barcelona’s recent hammering of Huesca in the Copa del Rey, as we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond:

It’d be a deal that would make a whole lot of sense for both parties. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in situ, the teenager’s opportunities for the remainder of this season would be severely limited, and a temporary switch to the Premier League would be wonderful for his development as a player.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Stylistically, Traore is exactly the kind of talent that Everton have been crying out for this season too. The Toffees have been lacking a raw, speedy player on the flanks and Traore—while he may not command a regular starting place for Roberto Martinez’s side—would provide a refreshing attacking option to the club’s offensive armoury.

Gerard Deulofeu—currently on loan at Sevilla from Barca—enjoyed a prosperous loan spell with the Merseysiders and after the strides he made in his game, you suspect the Catalonians would be happy to let Martinez nurture another of their supremely talented but somewhat capricious La Masia talents.