Celtic may soon face an unexpected challenge, as Barcelona is reportedly considering recalling Alex Valle from his season-long loan. The 20-year-old defender, who joined Celtic in August, was brought in to strengthen the left-back position and compete with Greg Taylor, whose contract is in its final year. The Valle deal initially appeared to defer the issue for another season, but Barcelona’s potential move to cut the loan short could force Celtic to find a solution as early as January.
According to reports from *The Daily Mail* and Catalan outlet *El Nacional*, Barcelona is impressed by Valle’s progress at Celtic. With concerns surrounding Alejandro Balde’s form, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Hansi Flick are reportedly considering offering compensation to Celtic to facilitate Valle’s early return to Camp Nou.
Loan agreements often include options for early termination by either club, depending on various conditions, meaning Celtic could face a gap in the left-back position sooner than anticipated. Valle has adapted well to Celtic’s style and the demands of Scottish football, notably stepping in for Taylor in the second half against Borussia Dortmund, and he has since shown increasing comfort and skill.
Celtic may now have to re-evaluate their options for left-back cover if Valle departs mid-season. One possibility is the return of Alexandro Bernabei, who has recently been in strong form with Internacional and could potentially rejoin the squad to fill the void.
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