The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Mateu Alemany is reconsidering his future and may now snub Aston Villa’s interest to stay with Barcelona, according to reports.
The director of football looked set to complete his move to Villa Park in the summer after agreeing to take on an unspecified senior role at the club, but appears to have left the Premier League side in the lurch after making a last-minute U-turn.
As a result, the move looks to be off, with The Athletic claiming Alemany has held a meeting with Barcelona to discuss remaining at the Nou Camp instead.
Only earlier this month, the LaLiga champions confirmed that Alemany, 60, would step away from his role on June 30 – a year before his contract was set to expire – to pursue a new ‘professional project’ believed to be alongside Unai Emery at Villa.
However, it has emerged today that Alemany held a meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and confirmed he was weighing up changing his mind.
Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany is reportedly now considering snubbing Aston Villa
Alemany (pictured second from right) was expected to leave the Nou Camp this summer
Villa boss Unai Emery was set to work alongside Alemany before his dramatic career U-turn
Sources suggested Barcelona knew they could not match the same financial terms.
But regardless of the attractive proposal and a visit to Villa’s training ground last week, Alemany is believed to still consider the project at Barcelona his priority. As a result, he is now open to seeing out the remaining year on his current deal.
Alemany has acted as the director of football in Catalonia since 2021 and overseen a number of transfers that ultimately set the foundations for this year’s title triumph.
Previously, the in-demand figure held various roles at Valencia and Real Mallorca.
Since replacing Steven Gerrard in October, Emery has propelled Villa from 14th to eighth in the top-flight, allowing them to dream of Europe during their run-in.
But Alemany appears unlikely to aid his quest next campaign after his apparent change of mind, with the veteran instead focused on continuing to shape Barcelona.
Quizzed on Villa’s evident interest in March, Alemany had said: ‘This is a private matter of no great importance. What is certain is that I will stay at Barca.’
Since replacing Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, Emery has lifted the club from 14th to eighth spot
