Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is set to miss out on Barcelona star Carles Alena, with Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur set to win the race for his signature, according to the Daily Mirror.
Central midfielder Alena, 19, is currently thought of as one the most promising talents to have come out of Barcelona’s academy for a long time.
However, he is refusing to sign a new deal with the Catalan side and with his current contract in Spain expiring in 12 month’s time, he looks set for a move away.
Benitez has been following the teenage star for several months along with Everton boss Ronald Koeman, with Tottenham set to activate his release clause of £2.6 million before July 1st, when it then goes up to £10.5 million.
Alena made four first team appearances under Luis Enrique last campaign, even finding the back of the net against Hercules in the Copa Del Rey last November.
