Alejandro Balde Leaves Barcelona: Mendes Pursues New Club

Alejandro Balde’s Barcelona chapter is heading for an abrupt twist. Jijantes FC report that the 22-year-old left-back has decided to leave the club this summer, a dramatic turn for a La Masia graduate once billed as the long-term owner of the position.

Jorge Mendes, in Barcelona this week, is now actively working to secure Balde a move before the transfer window closes. The agent’s presence in the city was never going to be casual. Now the picture is clear: the exit operation is underway.

From future starter to expendable

Balde’s status has been under scrutiny for months. He lost his starting place in the second half of last season to Joao Cancelo, and the club’s decision to bring the Portuguese full-back back on a permanent deal this summer only intensified the doubts.

Publicly, Balde has insisted all along that he wanted to stay and fight for his place. Privately, the tone has shifted. After the latest round of talks involving Mendes and the club, the defender has opted to look elsewhere for the next step in his career.

The coach’s view has weighed heavily.

Hansi Flick has been unconvinced about Balde’s readiness to anchor the left flank in his system and did not hide it in his press conference earlier today.

“It’s a difficult question. Balde has a lot of quality. For me it is important, as I have said before, you have to have the condition to compete in a home position and this I want to see in each player,” Flick said, underlining the competitive standard he expects.

“I see what they do every day, which shows me that they are ready to play at the highest level. In the end, we will only succeed as a team. We need everyone 100% committed to us,” he added.

The message was clear: no guaranteed spots, no time for passengers. For Balde, that stance has now translated into the search for a new start.

Manchester United circle, Milan cautious

The decision comes with serious clubs already hovering.

Manchester United have shown concrete interest. As reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this week, the Premier League side contacted Mendes to ask about Balde’s situation and the terms of a possible deal. United want clarity; Barcelona are now providing it.

AC Milan have also been sounded out. The Spaniard has been offered to the Serie A club, but the price is high. A fee above €40 million is on the table, a figure that could complicate any move to San Siro.

Barcelona, for their part, are prepared to sell if the right offer lands. A homegrown full-back, still only 22, is now effectively on the market.

The shift is so advanced that there is even a real chance Balde will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s La Liga opener against Elche. From starter to potential omission on opening day — the trajectory tells its own story.

Now the clock is ticking: does a top club step up with the fee and the role Balde wants, or does Barcelona risk watching another La Masia talent walk out the door at the peak of his value?