Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany has decided to quit the club in favour of a new project at Aston Villa, Barcelona has confirmed.

Alemany has a contract with Barcelona until 2024, but he will leave the club on June 30, 2023, ahead of the summer transfer window.

The club released a statement, thus: “Despite having a contract until 2024, Mateu Alemany has informed the FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta , of his intention to take a new path in his career but at the same time assuring that he will complete the summer transfer market with the club.

“Therefore, despite formally leaving the Club on 1 July, thanks to an informal agreement, Mateu Alemany has committed himself to completing the first team’s transfer business this summer, even if it should be at the final moments of the transfer window.”

Alemany had played a key role in the transfer market for Barcelona, especially last summer when he masterminded the club’s pursuit of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, despite the club’s lack of economic and sporting prospects.

Reports have it that another top director Jordi Cruyff, could leave this summer as well.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Cruyff will take the month of May to evaluate his future, deciding whether or not he will remain at the club.

Cruyff has been linked with an exit from Barcelona this summer, amid reports of growing tension between him and coach Xavi Hernandez. It notably reached a breaking point when the Barcelona coach overlooked Cruyff’s desire to sign former Barça starlet Xavi Simons.

Meanwhile, Marca had reported that one of the main reasons behind Alemany’s decision to leave the club is the level of significance that was given to personalities that had no knowledge about Barça.

It will be a big blow to lose Alemany and Cruyff in one single transfer window.