Javi Moreno and Cosmin Contra would appear to be two stars of the future and Alaves will face a difficult task hanging onto them in the summer, but now former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff has been linked to Camp Nou.
Barca Scouts have been a regular feature at Estadio Mendizorroza and Cruyff's performances this season, both domestically and during Alaves' debut European campaign, have impressed them.
The possible move is widely seen as an attempt to gain better relations with Johan Cruyff, Jordi's father, as the Dutch legend has been tipped to take over from Llorenc Serra Ferrer, who has confirmed his desire to move back to a technical coaching role.
Along with Hector Cuper, Cruyff would appear to top Joan Gaspart's shortlist for the coaching position and with Barca failing in the Champions League and La Liga this season, a period of rebuilding seems inevitable.
Both Southampton and Tottenham have registered there interest in the player, especially at the relatively small fee of 600 million pesetas (£2.25 million).
However, they would face competition from various Spanish clubs, although it would appear that all potential suitors will wait until June when his price drops to the 600 million mark.
His current buy-out clause is 1,500 million pesetas (£5.6 million) and with all transfer deadlines having passed by, another frenzied period of summer transfer activity in Spain appears likely.
