Jordi Alba could be swayed to English top-tier

The 29-year-old has reportedly made a verbal lifelong commitment to Barcelona, but is still waiting on a renewal confirmation of his contract, an issue that has left his agent, Vicente Fores a little baffled.

Fores told 'SPORT': ''We are still waiting. It's been a year and a half now. We don't understand anything, maybe it's normal for Barca or maybe they're not happy with the performances of a player included in FIFA's XI and who is the defender with the most assists in European football.''

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Catalan club, Alba would be a highly coveted player for any European team, but it is Manchester United and Chelsea who have emerged at the forefront of the interested parties. 

Barca's delay in securing their defender, having already agreed new contracts with the likes of Pique, Ter Stegen, Busquets and Luis Suarez, could prove immensely costly if United or Chelsea seek to tempt the Spaniard away.