Barcelona midfielder set to join Real Betis on loan

According to Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona youngster Carles Alena is on the verge of completing his loan move to fellow La Liga side Real Betis.

The report also states that the deal would last around six months with no immediate buy-back option.

Alena has fallen down the pecking order of Ernesto Valverde as he managed to make only 5 appearances this season. Regardless, he was still impressive in the Champions League game against Inter Milan and the recent fixture versus Alaves.

The Spanish U-21 star would be the first player to seek an exit in the January transfer window while Arturo Vidal, who is strongly linked with a move to Inter Milan, would likely to remain with the Catalan club.

The Blaugrana have no intentions to make any signings in the winter transfer window owing to the reason that they have spent big on players like Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong in the summer.

Valverde's men are topping the La Liga table, two points clear of Real Madrid.