Jordi Alba has said that 'nothing in football surprises him' amid suggestions that Barcelona attempted to move the left-back on before the end of the summer transfer window.
The 33-year-old was again a vital player for his Catalan club during the 2021-22 campaign, making 44 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and 12 assists in the process.
Alba started Barcelona's 2022-23 open against Rayo Vallecano on August 13, but he has since lost his starting role at the back to teenager Alejandro Balde.
The La Liga club are believed to have been in talks with Inter Milan over a loan deal in the latter stages of the market, but the Spaniard rejected the chance to move to San Siro.
"Whether it seems fair or not, but it's about the situation. I like to say things straight to the face and that people do the same to me," Mundo Deportivo quoted Alba as saying at a promotional event for Adidas.
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"I don't have anything more to say, even if I would like to say more. In this world of football, nothing surprises me anymore."
However, addressing the situation earlier this month, Barcelona boss Xavi insisted that Alba was 'never close' to leaving the club over the summer.
"Alba is a player in our squad and he is key to the team. He will undoubtedly play during the season, but no player is safe from anything," Xavi told reporters ahead of the clash with Sevilla.
"I want Jordi Alba here. As a captain and because of our great affinity. At no time did I ever think that Alba was going to leave the club. Balde can play in other positions, not only as a left-back, Marcos Alonso too. There will be games for everyone."
Alba moved to Barcelona from Valencia in 2012, and he has represented the club on 433 occasions in all competitions, contributing 25 goals and 94 assists in the process.
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The defender played the final 26 minutes of Barcelona's 3-0 win at Sevilla in the league on September 3 before featuring for the full 90 minutes of Wednesday's 5-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.
Marcos Alonso arrived in the latter stages of the summer market to boost Xavi's left-back options, although the Spaniard is yet to be involved in a matchday squad.
Gerard Pique is another veteran at the club, and the 35-year-old's future is also being called into question due to his struggles for football this term.
The centre-back is yet to play in La Liga this season, with his only football coming in the second half of Wednesday's European contest with Plzen.
Barcelona will be looking to continue their strong start to the 2022-23 campaign when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Cadiz on Saturday evening.
Matt Law
