Manchester United Eye Alejandro Balde as Barcelona's Left-Back Future Uncertain
Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Alejandro Balde as Barcelona edge towards a decisive call on the left-back’s future.
The Catalan club have authorised his agent, Jorge Mendes, to actively search for a new destination, a clear signal that the door at Barça is no longer firmly shut. The message grew louder on Sunday night: Balde was left out of the squad for the trip to Elche at the Martínez Valero, a fresh indication that negotiations over his departure are already in motion behind the scenes.
Balde’s stance shifts as competition bites
For much of the summer, Balde’s position was simple: he wanted to stay and fight for his place at Barcelona. That resolve has weakened.
The arrival and prominence of Joao Cancelo has changed the landscape. The Portuguese full-back’s versatility and status have pushed Balde down the pecking order, and the 22-year-old now looks more open than ever to a move.
His name has been circulating in England, Portugal and Italy, but, according to Catalan outlet Sport, it is Manchester United that appeal to him most. The Premier League, Old Trafford, a starting berth on the left – the package clearly resonates.
United’s left-back problem
United’s need is obvious. They must address the left side of their defence.
Luke Shaw is heading into the final year of his contract. Diogo Dalot has been used higher up the pitch. Both Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are, by trade, right-backs filling gaps rather than specialists anchoring that flank.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Balde is one of several options on the table, not a lone target. But stylistically and athletically, he fits what United are searching for – a modern, aggressive full-back comfortable in high-tempo football.
The club have already opened lines of communication with Mendes. No formal offer yet, but the groundwork has started.
A cheaper alternative: Jorge Salinas
United, though, are not locked onto one path. While Balde ticks a lot of boxes, he does not come cheap, and that has forced the club to explore a more economical solution.
Enter Jorge Salinas.
The 19-year-old Racing Santander left-back has emerged as a serious alternative. His release clause is understood to sit at around £16 million, a fraction of what Barcelona want for Balde. For a club juggling multiple squad needs, that difference matters.
That gulf in cost goes a long way to explaining why United have not yet tested Barcelona’s resolve with a formal bid. Benfica are, so far, the only club to have put a concrete offer on the table for Balde, and Sport report that proposal falls well short of Barça’s valuation.
Barcelona’s financial tightrope
Barcelona’s position is delicate. They need to create financial room and ease pressure on their wage bill, but they are determined not to lose a valuable asset on the cheap.
Internally, the club had Balde pegged at around €40–45 million only a few months ago. That figure still underpins their stance. They know his age, profile and potential place him firmly in the premium bracket.
Aston Villa currently look the most capable of actually meeting those demands, yet they face their own constraint: they likely need to sell before they can move decisively. Until that happens, the race remains open and slightly stalled.
While Mendes works the market, Barcelona’s sporting department have already started planning for life without Balde. If he goes, the left side would be left to Cancelo and Gerard Martin – a thin rotation for a club that expects to go deep across multiple competitions.
So the situation is clear. United need a left-back. Barcelona need money. Balde needs minutes. The question now is who blinks first – and whether Old Trafford becomes the stage for his next step.
