Alena set for temporary January exit

Barcelona will reportedly sanction a loan move for midfielder Carles Alena in the January transfer window amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Spain Under-21 international Alena joined Barcelona’s youth ranks in 2005 and made his senior debut in November 2016, starting and scoring in an away draw against Hercules.
However, the 21-year-old has struggled for a place in the first team and has been restricted to just 45 minutes of La Liga football under manager Ernesto Valverde this season.
The midfielder has been forced to watch from the bench, playing second fiddle to summer arrival Frenkie de Jong, and a January exit is said to be firmly on the cards.
In a bid to appease Alena, the Catalans are ready to send the Spaniard, who has a contract until the summer of 2022, out on loan for the second half of the campaign.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is said to be a keen admirer of Alena and the Argentine tactician, who is under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, is hopeful of wrapping up a deal at the turn of the year.
With Denmark international Christian Eriksen’s contract expiring in the summer, the Spurs boss is eager to find a replacement and he will be looking to include a permanent fee clause in any loan deal.
However, reports claim Real Betis, who loaned Giovani Lo Celso to Tottenham this summer, are also showing interest and there could be a bidding war between the two clubs.
Although Barca rate the midfielder highly, it is claimed they would be willing to allow him to leave permanently if a bid of around £30million comes in.