Former Barcelona star Jordi Alba is negotiating with Major League Soccer club 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.
Alba confirmed his departure from Barcelona last month, marking the end of his 11-year tenure with the club. He re-joined Barca from Valencia in 2012.
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.
Alba decided to leave the club due to his reduced involvement and Barcelona’s financial situation, despite having one year remaining on his contract.
He made 458 appearances for the Blaugrana, bagging 27 goals and 99 assists. Alba 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 Pro League clubs, who are targeting experienced European players, but he looks set to ignore them.
He has also been linked with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan but could be set to head across the Atlantic Ocean.
Following Miami’s successful signing of Messi, reports surfaced about the club’s intentions to reunite the Argentine star with several former teammates, including Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
Suarez promptly dismissed the notion of a move from Gremio, but 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.
