Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany in advanced talks to take up a senior football role at Aston Villa… with the Spaniard, 60, set to leave the club on June 30 to embark on ‘a new professional project’
- Barcelona transfer chief Alemany will leave the club at the end of the season
- Alemany has a bid from Aston Villa and could team up with boss Unai Emery
Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany is in advanced talks to take up a senior position at Aston Villa.
Alemany, 60, will leave the club at the end of the season, the club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Multiple reports in Spain had indicated that Alemany had been given a big pay raise to move to Villa Park and work with boss Unai Emery.
According to Spanish sources, Barcelona knew they could not meet Villa’s conditions for their director of football.
A statement from LaLiga leaders read: ‘FC Barcelona’s director of football, Mateu Alemany, will end his time at the club on June 30 to embark on a new professional project.
Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany (second right) at the unveiling of Robert Lewandowski
Alemany, 60, had been offered a big raise to work with Villa boss Unai Emery
Despite having a contract until 2024, Mateu Alemany has informed FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta of his intention to take a new path in his career, but at the same time assure that he has the summer transfer market with the club will complete.
“Therefore, despite formally leaving on July 1, Mateu Alemany has committed, thanks to an informal agreement, to complete the first-team transfer this summer, even if it would be at the last minute of the transfer window.”
Asked about Villa’s interest in March, Alemany said: “This is a private matter of no great importance. What is certain is that I will stay with Barca.’
Johan Lange, sporting director of Villa, has been in service since the summer of 2020 and has been instrumental in bringing in the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
When Emery was hired to replace Steven Gerrard last autumn, he was given carte blanche to shape the first-team image as he saw fit. Alemany’s arrival, if finally confirmed, would be a major step in that direction.