Jordi Alba and the contract renewal of the year FC Barcelona Wants to be paid like Busquets and Pique

With the centre-back problem resolved with the acquisition of Jeison Murillo, Barcelona chief executive Oscar Grau and other members of the board, such as Pep Segura, will take advantage the winter break to enjoy some time off.

In the case of Grau, even a few days off is a long time without knuckling down to hard work.

His laptop and mobile phone blow up constantly throughout the year, as was the case 12 months ago when he helped secure the blockbuster euros signing of Philippe Coutinho.

When he returns to work, he won't be short of things to do as next on the agenda for Barcelona is the renewal of Jordi Alba's contract.

Initial contact between the club and the player's entourage has already taken place.

Both parties are in agreement on one thing and that is, as MARCA has learned, that negotiations will not be quick.

"We must be respectful of the time that it takes to negotiate," is the word from within the Camp Nou.

Their positions are a little way apart as things stand, but the intent is positive and the club do consider the left-back to be an important player for the future, despite the fact that he will turn 30 in March.

Alba, whose contract expires on June 30, 2020, has been demanding recognition in the form of an improved salary and extended deal since the beginning of 2018.

He is an essential piece in Ernesto Valverde's side, with the coach speaking so well of him and the chemistry he enjoys with Lionel Messi.

So far this season, the Spaniard has provided his captain with four assists for goals in all competitions.

His influence on the attacking side of Barcelona's game is so unquestionable that you can't imagine them playing without him.

Meanwhile, his defensive abilities are better than ever too, thanks in large part to a greater physical stature, based on changes in his diet and preparation because he knows that caring for himself is important.

All of this is in addition to his return to the Spain team after initially being frozen out by Luis Enrique.

It means that the former Valencia man is now seeking a salary that would put him on a par with Gerard Pique or Sergio Busquets, two men who are as essential as he is in the starting line-up.

Both the centre-back and midfielder are in the second rung of the pay scale in the squad, below Messi and Luis Suarez, but ahead of Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umtiti.

Alba, whose last contract revision came in 2015, earns eight million euros per year, which is the same salary that Arda Turan received when he signed during Josep Maria Bartomeu's election campaign.