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29 March 2024

Man Utd and City target Valencia ace Alba

Valencia's Jordi Alba (left) fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil (centre) during a Spanish first division match at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. (FILE)

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By Staff

Manchester City are ready to compete with Manchester United to sign up Valencia’s newly-capped Spanish international defender Jordi Alba.

Roberto Mancini has sent City scouts to monitor to the 22 year-old left back who has emerged as one of the hottest properties in La Liga, according to the 'Mirror'.

Ironically Alba was released by his hometown club Barcelona in 2005 because he was deemed small.

With the City having been told that cash will be made available for recruits when the transfer widow reopens in January, he is eager to plug a gaping hole in the problematic left-back position.

Although Gael Clichy has been outstanding since his £7 million arrival from Arsenal in the summer, Aleksandar Kolarov has struggled to cope with the pace of the Premier League.

Alba, gifted with lightning speed is an attack-minded full-back that Mancini favours.

However, Manchester United have also been linked with Alba, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the market for a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.

United lost out to City when Valencia decided to cash in on David Silva in the summer of 2010.

And if Valencia can be tempted to sell the latest young talent to emerge at the Mestalla then the Blues’ financial power will give them the edge over their Mancunian rivals.

Alba can also operate as a left-sided midfielder, but made his Spain debut in defence in the 3-1 win over Scotland last month.