Liverpool and Man Utd get a boost as £40 million target seems unwanted at Barcelona
Even though the transfer window is closed until January, football clubs are already keeping an eye out for possible deals to boost their squads. Liverpool and Manchester United are eager to bring in new players to improve their teams and give their managers more options.
Now, these two North-West rivals seem to be competing for a Barcelona star who isn’t getting much game time lately, as shown in Barcelona’s last La Liga match.
Manchester United have had a tough start to the Premier League season under Michael Carrick, winning only one of their first six games. Despite adding several players in midfield and attack over the past two seasons, they still need to strengthen their squad.
It looks like Carrick and his recruitment team are focusing on defense now, with links to Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde. A report from El Nacional Cat says Manchester United want to sign the left-back, and Liverpool are also interested. Carrick’s team might be pushing harder for him because Liverpool currently has two international left-backs, while United’s Luke Shaw, at 31, has struggled with injuries lately.
Both clubs will feel hopeful about Balde’s situation at Barcelona. Although other left-backs played during the recent international break, Balde didn’t get any minutes in their win over Getafe. Reports from AS Diario were surprised he wasn’t even used, suggesting the club might rest some players ahead of their Champions League game with Galatasaray.
Balde has played just 17 minutes this season, so it’s clear he’s not in manager Flick’s plans. That might make Barcelona willing to sell, expecting a fee around £40 million.
Balde is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. Before joining the main team, he impressed with Barcelona B over two seasons. He made his senior debut in 2021-22 and quickly became a regular, helping the team win three La Liga titles.
His performances earned him a contract extension in 2024, with a huge one-billion-euro release clause showing how important he was to the club. At his best, some even said he was one of the best left-backs in the world, with Spanish media praising him after Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid in March 2023.
But now, at just 22 years old and with 169 appearances for Barcelona, Balde looks set to leave and start a new chapter.