Barcelona prices Alejandro Balde at 40 million euros
Manchester United is one of several clubs interested in the left-back, who has not started a match this season.
By Ethan Cooper ·
Barcelona values left-back Alejandro Balde at 40 million euros, or about 33 million pounds, as the club prepares for the upcoming January transfer window.
The 23-year-old joined the Catalan club at age eight and has made 172 appearances for the team. However, he has lost his starting spot under manager Hansi Flick. Balde has not started a match this season. He played 60 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid last month after Xavi Espart was injured. Since then, Joao Cancelo has started the last two games.
Balde is reportedly prioritizing a move to the Premier League to regain regular playing time. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is currently contacting clubs across Europe. Liverpool and Aston Villa are also interested in the player. Italian clubs Roma and Juventus have met with Mendes, though Balde’s salary requirements may complicate those deals.
Manchester United is actively seeking a left-back. The club linked with Balde in the final weeks of the summer window. United manager Michael Carrick confirmed the team will look to strengthen its squad in January. He told Sky Sports that the club wants to make the best of the open market. Carrick stated, "So we’ll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like."
Luke Shaw’s injury has forced Diogo Dalot to play at left-back, increasing the urgency for a permanent signing. United’s search resumes in the New Year.
Barcelona prefers a permanent sale but is open to a loan deal with an option to buy. Mendes is weighing offers from multiple leagues ahead of the January deadline.
