Barcelona reveal interest in Spain full-back Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba: Tried to overlap down the left hand side and had some early success but did not make the most of the ball when given it. 6 (Getty Images)

Barcelona have set aside €40 million per year for players and are currently negotiating with Valencia to buy fullback Jordi Alba, president Sandro Rosell confirmed today.

"I am not happy these negotiations (for Alba) have leaked out but they have," Rosell told a news conference as part of his annual review of the season.

Alba has been in fine form for Euro 2012 semi-finalists Spain starting all of their games at left-back. The 23-year-old began his career in Barca's youth ranks and is being lined up for a return to replace France international Eric Abidal who is recovering from a liver transplant.

Spanish media have reported Valencia want €15m the player, who turned 23 in March.

Rosell added preliminary financial results for the 2011-12 season suggested Barca would make a profit of €40m, almost twice as much as the projected €21m.

The cash will be used to pay debts which stand at a net €340m.