Former Barcelona star Jordi Alba is negotiating with Major League Soccer team Inter Miami over a potential transfer this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
If they agree, it will result in a reunion with his close friend and former teammate Lionel Messi.
Last month, Alba confirmed his departure from Barcelona, marking the end of his 11-year tenure with the first team. He re-joined Barca in 2012 from Valencia.
The 34-year-old defender experienced a decline in his playing time this past season. Barca manager Xavi Hernandez favoured Alejandro Balde as the first-choice left-back.
Alba only started 13 La Liga games, bagging two goals and three assists.
Due to his reduced involvement and Barcelona’s financial situation, Alba, captain of the Spanish national team, decided to leave the club, despite having one year remaining on his contract.
Alba made 458 appearances for the Blaugrana, netting 27 goals and 99 assists. He leaves the club as a legend and one of the best left-backs in their history.
His wages for the upcoming season would have exceeded €30 million. He has now forfeited the potential earnings.
Alba received two offers from Saudi Arabia. Saudi League clubs are targeting experienced European players, but he looks set to ignore them.
Additionally, there have been links to clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
However, Alba is currently in negotiations with Inter Miami. A move to the MLS franchise is a possibility.
Following Inter Miami’s successful signing of Messi, reports surfaced about the club’s intentions to reunite the Argentine star with several former Barcelona teammates, including Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez.
Suarez promptly dismissed the notion of a move from Gremio to the MLS.
Nevertheless, Alba and Busquets could still potentially join Messi in Florida.
The veteran left-back has yet to finalise his decision. He will thoroughly evaluate all his options before selecting his next club in the upcoming weeks.
