Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that the club will remain active in the transfer window as they shop for a new left-back. The Catalan boss claimed that the door would remain open for new arrivals at the club until the transfer window slams shut in August.
The Blaugrana are reportedly looking to find support for the ageing Jordi Alba and are reportedly moving closer to signing Junior Firpo from Real Betis. Philipp Max of Augsburg is said to be an alternative, while Bayern Munich star David Alaba has been linked to the club with the Austria International signifying interest in joining the Camp Nou outfit.
Three major signings have been added to the ranks at Barcelona as goalkeeper Neto, midfielder Frenkie de Jong and French World Cup-winning attacker, Antoine Griezmann have all joined since the end of the 2018-19 season and Barca’s business appears unlikely to end there.
“It is true that we had some problems on the left side [of defence] and it is possible that somebody may arrive,” head coach Valverde said. “But we are open to the market until the last day and we will see what happens.”
Agreement for the termination of Pep Segura's contracthttps://t.co/72pqBmkwOz pic.twitter.com/WWZ0zNEIAT
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 26, 2019
It is understood that transfer plans at Camp Nou will not be tweaked despite changes being made behind the scenes. Pep Segura has departed his role as director of football and there is no plan to bring in a successor, with responsibilities set to be shared between those already at the club.
Valverde will have some input into possible targets but is focused on pre-season matters for now. He has faced media in Japan ahead of a friendly against local outfit Vissel Kobe, home to former Barca players Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper. Gerard Pique will not be involved after feeling discomfort in his thigh in the wake of the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
? @5sergiob: "Andrés means a lot to the players that have come out of La Masia, and having the support of players like Iniesta makes everything easier. He is also a great friend and it will be special to play against him" pic.twitter.com/LkAQu7oWMo
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 26, 2019
“Tomorrow is an opportunity,” Valverde said of the match. “There are things that must be improved and adapted. We always have to improve. We will leave out Pique, who has a problem, as a precaution.”
There is better news on the fitness front back in Spain, where Luis Suarez has started a personalised pre-season programme. The striker, who was given an extended break following the Copa America, is scheduled to return to full training alongside his Barcelona team-mates on July 31.
Barcelona begin their defence of the La Liga at the San Mames on the 16th of August when they face Athletic Bilbao on the opening day of the season.