Alba welcomes Morata-Barça links

Barcelona left back Jordi Alba has said that Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata ‘would be very welcome’ if he was brought to the club, amid claims that the Catalan giants are eyeing a January bid for the striker.

Morata has largely struggled to replicate his blistering early career form in West London, and there are no signs that the forward’s luck will change any time soon, with manager Maurizzio Sarri preferring to use Olivier Giroud or even Eden Hazard up front.

According to the ‘Daily Mail’, Barcelona have been in touch with the player’s agent over a possible January switch, with a loan move until the end of the season, followed by a permanent deal in the summer.

Current ‘Blaugrana’ favourite Jordi Alba has remained steadfast in his praise for his international colleague, describing him as a ‘top player’. This week, Alba discussed the topic with the media, saying: “Morata is a player that I appreciate a lot, he has been a top player for many years. At the end, it's the club's [decision] if they want to sign him or not, as with any other player. If the rumours are true, he would be very welcome, as all the new players [are].”

It is thought that Morata would be open to the move, despite his well known past playing for rivals Real Madrid, as he would be handed more regular first team football. The move would be mutually beneficial, as the Catalan club have limited central striking options; they are yet to find suitable cover for main man Luis Suarez, with Messi and Dembele better suited to wide roles in the side.

While it is not unheard of for a player to play for both Spanish giants, perhaps there would be some work to do on both sides for Morata to become the second choice number ‘9’ at the Nou Camp.