Barça still monitoring Gaya as Valencia renewal talks drag on

Barça still monitoring Gaya as Valencia renewal talks drag on

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The defender is out of contract next summer and hasn't agreed a new deal

After a busy summer of signings, Barcelona are already working on the future, although with the idea that only small touches are needed.

The club are keeping an eye on players whose contracts are running down. Centre-back Iñigo Martinez is one of them and Barça are also still monitoring the Valencia left-back Jose Luis Gaya, who is in talks with his club over a new deal but has not yet closed an agreement.

Barça believe he is the ideal player to replace Jordi Alba, who is not getting much game time this season with the presence of Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso.

Barça have long been interested in Gaya but he has always remained committed to Valencia. Talks are ongoing to extend his Mestalla contract, but the club's financial problems are making an agreement difficult.

The desire of both parties to reach a deal should facilitate an understanding before the World Cup, but Barça have made it clear that their interest is real.

Gaya, 27, and Barça have been in talks for months. The left-back has previously been unsure due to the competition with Alba, but football director Mateu Alemany would love to bring him in. Alba has a contract until 2024 at Camp Nou.

If Valencia can get Gaya to renew, a move to Barça is obviously unlikely. Gaya also wants guarantees from Valencia that they will continue to grow and improve in the coming seasons.

At the moment, Barça have Alba, Alonso and Balde for the left-back position. Alonso is the preferred option at the moment. Alba has had limited moments and Xavi sees Balde as a wing-back more than a full-back for now.

Barça have no doubts that Gaya could be their left-back for a number of years, but it all depends on Valencia. Everything indicates that if Gaya has not renewed in January, Barça will have a good chance of signing the Spain defender.

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