Manchester United Pursue Alejandro Balde as Left-Back Target

Manchester United have set their sights on Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde as they step up plans to recruit a new left-back.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that United have made contact with Balde’s camp in recent days to explore whether a move away from Barcelona could be on the table and under what conditions a deal might be done. The approach comes with a new left-back described as the club’s next priority once the deal for Carlos Baleba is wrapped up.

Balde’s situation at Barcelona has shifted over the past year. After an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign, his status as an automatic starter has been shaken. Hansi Flick leaned heavily on João Cancelo during the second half of last season, and the Portuguese defender has now completed a permanent return to the club.

That decision leaves Balde staring at the prospect of starting the new season as second choice on the left, a sharp change for a player once tipped as a long-term pillar of the Blaugrana back line.

United have sensed an opening. With the left-back position a clear area of focus, the Premier League side have moved to test the waters, sounding out Balde’s representatives to gauge whether Barcelona might be tempted to sell for the right price and whether the player would even entertain an exit.

For now, there is a key obstacle: Balde is understood to be happy at Barcelona and content at the Spotify Camp Nou. That stance means United are not dealing with an unsettled player pushing to leave, but with a young defender who still sees his future in Catalonia.

Barcelona, though, have already shown this summer that financial realities can force difficult decisions. If Cancelo remains Flick’s preferred option and a substantial offer arrives, the question becomes simple: how long can a club in their position afford to keep a valuable asset as a back-up?