WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Alexia Putellas contract talks with Barcelona reportedly stall amid Spain call-up controversy
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has reportedly hit a roadblock in her contract talks with Barcelona after accepting a call-up to her national side.
Alexia Putellas’ contract renewal talks at FC Barcelona have reportedly hit a significant stumbling block after the Spanish club are said to be extremely unhappy with her accepting a call up to the Spain national team, despite suffering from an injury that has kept her out of action since November 14.
The midfielder underwent keyhole surgery on her left knee back in December 2023, but problems have persisted and diagnosing a specific injury has been something of a puzzle for the medical staff at the club. However, despite not playing since last year, Alexia accepted a call up from the national team manager Montse Tomé when she announced her squad on Thursday 15 February.
Will Alexia sign a new contract at Barcelona?
While Alexia’s desire has always been to stay in Cataluña, her contract expires at the end of the current season, something that has seen her linked with a move to the NWSL, where teams have been spending record-breaking amounts of money on Spanish talent.
The economic situation at the club does not help things either, as the financial package that the club presented to her - despite Barcelona offering to double her wages - was not said to be what she wanted. Furthermore, Barça are said to have only offered a two-year renewal when Alexia had requested a three-year deal, complicating matters further.
Spain play the Netherlands in Sevilla this Friday in the Women’s Nations League finals; the winners will play either France or Germany.
According to the report from The Athletic, the club said they had sent reports to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) explaining that Alexia was not fit to play. Barcelona manager Jonatan Giráldez later confirmed this, saying that club doctors had not given the green light for the midfielder to return to action.
However, despite the club’s intentions, Alexia made contact with the RFEF and asked to be called up in order to carry on with the high intensity recovery plan from the Federation’s Las Rozas training base in northern Madrid. The report also claims that there was a disagreement between Alexia, who said she informed Barcelona of her decision to travel, and the club, who said they knew nothing about her leaving for the capital.