At a glance
- FC Barcelona is believed to be open to offers for Alejandro Balde.
- As well as Arabia, two proposals come from Premier League giants Manchester United.
- Currently injured, the La Masia product could entertain a move to England.
A debate has been opened at FC Barcelona as per the potential sale of left back Alejandro Balde according to SPORT and its correspondent Lluis Miguelsanz.
The left back is currently injured after picking up a distal hamstring knock in his left thigh on March 3. Barça beat Atletico Madrid 3-0 in a Copa del Rey semifinal second leg at home on that date, but still lacked a goal to push the tie to extra time and therefore lost 4-3 on aggregate.
As explained earlier this week by ReadBarcelona, Balde is expected to be the first to return to action after the international break among a trio completed by Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong.
He could be available as soon as April 4’s away trip to Atleti in La Liga, ahead of a Champions League quarterfinal first leg taking place at the Spotify Camp Nou against the same opposition a few days later.
Yet irrespective of when he returns, Balde is not guaranteed to slot straight back into the first XI.
Balde has lost his place in the FC Barcelona starting line up
Enjoying somewhat of a renaissance compared to his first ‘loose cannon’ loan spell, Joao Cancelo is the preferred left back now on Flick’s watch, who has piled up a tidy collection of goals and assists.
Options that Flick has at right back, including Xavi Espart, Ronald Araujo or Eric Garcia mean that this flank is covered, and it’s pretty much a two-horse race between Cancelo and Balde for the left as Gerard Martin forms a central partnership with Pau Cubarsi.
More experienced and versatile, Cancelo currently gives Flick increased stability while it cannot be ignored that Balde’s form was dipping ahead of his unfortunate knock.
Should FC Barcelona sell Balde?
SPORT explains that there are offers for Balde from Saudi Arabia – also interested in Marc Casado – and the Premier League.
Furthermore, it is believed that proposals from the English teams in question – Liverpool and Manchester United – could be entertained by the Barça and its La Masia product.
Balde has always been intent on staying at the club of his life, and the Blaugrana have knocked back offers for him before ahead of renewing the defender’s terms until mid-2028.
Yet as the club’s financial situation is what it is, and Flick has improved cover in his position, Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta should perhaps listen to what interested parties have to say.
‘From the house’, or rather La Masia, Balde’s sale would present pure profit in times of trying to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play, and he’s currently rated at €55 million by Transfermarkt.
When Barça evidently needs a ‘9’ and Julian Alvarez is reportedly priced at around four times that value, every little helps.
