Wolves target Carles Alena has his heart set on a move to Getafe instead, the La Liga club’s president Angel Torres has told Sport.
That dreaded deadline is looming large at Camp Nou.
Unless a debt-ridden Barcelona can find a way to shed millions from a staggering wage bill, Ronald Koeman’s Catalan Kings will be unable to register Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay or Eric Garcia under La Liga rules before the new season kicks off.
Or, for that matter, re-sign a certain Leo Messi.
Barca have at least managed to find someone willing to take left-back Junior Firpo off their hands – the former Spain U21 international joined Leeds United on Tuesday – and nobody will stand in Alena’s way if he’s offered a fresh start elsewhere either.
Will Wolves miss out on Carles Alena?
In June, Sport claimed the talented midfielder had been lined up to join a Wolverhampton Wanderers side now under the stewardship of Bruno Lage.
An excellent distributor who was likened to Xavi during his younger days at La Masia, Alena would have perfectly aligned with the game plan of a coach whose Benfica side passed and probed their opponents to death en route to the Primeira Liga title in 2019.
But if seems as though Alena, who is valued at just £7 million by a Barcelona side desperate for funds, is on his way to Getafe instead.
“Alena’s move is pending. The boy wants to come to Getafe and Barcelona know it,” Angel Torres explains.
“I think he will have a happy ending. I am negotiating directly with Barcelona and I hope Alena will be here soon.”
Alena did impress during a loan spell at Getafe in the second half of last season, ensuring the Madrid-based outfit avoided relegation from La Liga.
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