Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany has made a U-turn on his decision to leave for Aston Villa and will now stay at the club, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Alemany, 60, announced his departure from Barca two weeks ago, with sources telling ESPN he was in advanced talks to join Villa after receiving an offer that was “too good to turn down.”
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
However, following talks with the Barcelona hierarchy this week, he has decided he wants to remain at Spotify Camp Nou to continue building on the work he has done over the last two years.
Sporting director Jordi Cruyff will still depart at the end of the season when his contract expires, though, having officially announced his desire to “embark on new professional endeavours” on Tuesday.
Sources have told ESPN that former Barca and Portugal midfielder Deco will join the Catalan club to work on recruitment alongside Alemany, who has a contract until 2024.
Since retiring, Deco has been working as an agent, with Barca forward Raphinha among the players he represents, but it is thought he will have to give up his agency to take on the new role at Barca.
Alemany joined Barca in 2021 when Joan Laporta was elected president and oversaw a frantic transfer window last summer as the Blaugrana sold club assets to fund the singings of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, among others.
Working alongside Cruyff, the transfer guru has received plaudits for putting together a squad that has seen Barca secure a first LaLiga title since 2019.
