Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez lifts lid on Mateu Alemany exit to Aston Villa
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Mateu Alemany set to arrive at Villa Park this summer
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has opened up about Mateu Alemany's imminent exit to Aston Villa.
Director of football Alemany is set to leave the club at the end of June to take up a similar role at B6. He is expected to arrive in July, and still has an informal agreement to provide consultation to Barca throughout the summer window.
Alemany has been at Camp Nou since 2021, after joining from Valencia. In the past couple of years, the 60-year-old has worked impressively with Xavi which has led Villa to show an interest.
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The financial issues at Barca has meant that Villa were able to offer him a better offer, according to Catalan newspaper Sport, who state that his departure is a "major setback" for the club, while being promised significant backing from owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.
Speaking about Alemany's departure, Xavi said last weekend, via Sport Witness: "I have been very comfortable with him, he has been instrumental in the restructuring of the club. It has been a pleasure meeting Mateu.
"It is a significant loss, but it is a personal decision that must be accepted. I wish him the best, he will still work with us until the summer."
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