The most impressive Spaniard at the Euro 2012 tournament at the moment has to be the 23 year old Jordi Alba. Anyone who’s been following the football will no doubt agree as Spain prepares to take on the in-form Italians in Sunday’s Euro 2012 final in Kiev. I say in form Italians as they dispatched the Germans with ease. this was quite surprising as Joachim Löw’s team were my favourites to take the title.
Anyway, onto Jordi Alba. He’s just been signed by Catalan giants Barcelona on a five year deal. It is reported that Barca have paid out 17.5 Million euros for Alba who was also wanted by Manchester United to replace left back Patrice Evra who has one more year at United. This comes as a blow to Ferguson who has had to turn his attention to Everton’s Leighton Baines. Everton want cash but Sir Alex is keen on a cash plus player deal.
As we have mentioned, Alba has been most impressive at the Euro 2012 Tournament and Barca have landed a real bargain. Alba started out as a Barca player and left the club to join local side Cornellà, just outside the city.
Valencia kept a watchful eye on Alba and it wasn’t long before the Che team offered him a contract in 2007. After a loan spell at Gimnàstic de Tarragona he was back at Valencia where he cemented his role as left back. From there the 23 year old was called up by Vicente Del Bosque for international duty. The rest they say is history.
He will be a great asset to Barcelona and it’s obvious the young Alba wanted to stay in Spain. Jordi Alba is Tito Vilanova’s first signing since taking over from pep Guardiola.
Barcelona will tackle Manchester United in a high-profile pre-season friendly in Gothenburg on 8th August. The two clubs have met in two of the last four Champions League finals, plus the 2008 semi-final. This will be a great match to watch no doubt.
