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Report: Alaba identified as Barca's top target

Alexander Hassenstein / Bongarts / Getty

Barcelona's busy summer looks set to continue.

Versatile Bayern Munich star David Alaba has been identified as Barca's No. 1 target to provide competition for Jordi Alba in the upcoming season, sources told ESPN FC's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

News of Barcelona's interest comes weeks after Alaba, who has two years remaining on his Bayern Munich contract, reportedly had his agent offer the player's services to the Spanish club.

Along with providing competition for Alba, 30, who is the team's only left-back, Barcelona could deploy the 27-year-old in the heart of their backline or in a defensive midfield role to provide cover for Sergio Busquets.

Bayern may be willing to part with Alaba after acquiring Lucas Hernandez - who can play both left- and center-back - from Atletico Madrid in a deal that cost the German champions €80 million.

A move for Alaba, however, isn't guaranteed, and Barcelona could also target Philipp Max from Augsburg or Junior Firpo of Real Betis, Llorens and Marsden add.

Barcelona could turn their attention to Max if Bayern refuse to sell Alaba as a result of the Catalan side's reluctance to part with Ousmane Dembele, who is a reported target of the Bavarian club.

Meanwhile, Junior is believed to be a more realistic target as Real Betis are understood to be willing to sell the 22-year-old for less than the €40-million release clause in his contract.

A move for either of the three would follow Barcelona's lucrative transfer of Antoine Griezmann, who Atletico Madrid agreed to sell for €120 million. The Catalans also acquired Frenkie De Jong from Ajax for €75 million in a deal that was struck in January, as well as 'keeper Neto from Valencia for €26 million.

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