Man Utd target wants to leave club before transfer deadline after talks with Jorge Mendes
Manchester United are getting closer to signing a new left-back after super-agent Jorge Mendes had talks with one of their main targets, according to reports.
On Saturday, Man United got off to a tough start in the Premier League with a 2-0 loss to newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium. Most people didn’t expect Hull to win, but they took advantage of set-pieces twice, with goals from defenders Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy. This marked only the third league loss for Manchester United under manager Michael Carrick.
United’s weakness in defending set-pieces was clear, and they also struggled with Mohamed Belloumi causing problems for Luke Shaw on the right side. Shaw had a hard time keeping up with Belloumi’s skill and speed, highlighting why Carrick wants to sign another left-back.
Manchester United has been watching Newcastle defender Lewis Hall all transfer window. The 21-year-old has become their main target to replace Shaw. However, despite reports that Hall wanted to move, Newcastle now see him as ‘untouchable’ after already selling three key players—Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes.
Because of this, the club is looking elsewhere. Reports say teenage left-back Jorge Salinas from Racing Santander and West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, who impressed at the World Cup with Senegal, are options. Salinas and Diouf could bring quality and depth, but they’re not the only ones on the list.
On Thursday, Fabrizio Romano shared on X that Manchester United will step up their interest in Barcelona’s left-back Alejandro Balde after signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton. Baleba passed his medical and agreed to join United for £70 million, signing a five-year deal.
Romano also said Balde doesn’t want to leave Barcelona, which could be a setback for United. But things may have changed. Spanish outlet SPORT says the 22-year-old now wants to leave Camp Nou and has told Jorge Mendes to find him a new club. Aston Villa is also interested, but their money problems make a move tricky. Benfica offered €20 million (£17.1m), but Barcelona wants around €40-45 million.
Balde was left out of Barcelona’s squad against Elche, and coach Hansi Flick explained the decision: “We have to manage the minutes; I hope to have six players who can play 90 minutes. I spoke with Balde and told him he might not be at 100% mentally, so to clear his mind, and then we’ll talk.” This hints he may not be part of their long-term plans, and with his contract running until June 2028, Barcelona could sell him this summer.