When news finally broke that Carles Alena was heading to Real Betis on loan for the second half of the 2019/20 campaign, there was a tacit acknowledgment that it was for the benefit of both player and club.
Whilst the majority of supporters don’t agree that the youngster should have to ply his trade elsewhere and has to be given the chance to build on his appearances from last season at the Camp Nou, the plain fact is that he has been consistently overlooked since August.
With no purchase option available for the Verdiblancos, it does at least look as though Barca are being forward thinking in Alena’s case and allowing him much-needed match time elsewhere, but absolutely with a view to bringing him back at season’s end.