Barca wants Atletico defender as backup

According to information from Goal and SOCCERSCORE, FC Barcelona is interested in left-back Filipe Luis of Atletico Madrid. The 33-year-old is right at the top of the Catalan wish list and would be free to take over the contract which expires on 30 June.

Luis is scheduled as a backup for Jordi Alba, who played 54 games this season across all competitions. Alba, according to the prevailing opinion among Barca’s bosses, seemed to be overacting towards the end of the season and therefore took some care. Luis’ commitment is now to ensure that Alba is given a break more frequently.

Luis himself had denied previous change rumours and stressed that he was happy with the Colchoneros. The Brazilian had received offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Flamengo and Wolverhampton. He was also associated with BVB and Bayer Leverkusen.

Luis’ intention of staying with Atletico could be revised given the interest from Barcelona and the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi in the autumn of his career. Barca had already played for the Brazilian international in 2010, but Luis from La Coruna moved to Madrid at the time.

At Atletico he was seeded in the past season. Despite brief breaks from injury, he played 32 games across competitions and contributed two goals and two assists.