Alejandro Balde has reportedly told Barcelona he wants to stay, while Joshua Zirkzee expects to leave Manchester United before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Balde tells Barca he wants to stay
United may have to keep their options alive in the hunt for a new left-back after Alejandro Balde reportedly told Barcelona he wants to stay. Reports linking the Spain defender with a move to Old Trafford had escalated this week after Balde was omitted from Barca's season-opening win over Elche.
That only fuelled rumours suggesting an offer from United was imminent. The Premier League giants would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy the player, only for it to emerge Los Cules were only interested in a direct sale.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now reported Balde's decision to tell Barcelona he wishes to stay put. That's despite the increase in competition caused by Xavi Espart's emergence as a new option and Joao Cancelo's summer return to the Camp Nou.
Espart's emergence and Balde's future
La Masia graduate Espart impressed at left-back against Elche and grabbed an assist for his troubles. Hansi Flick said after the game that he would have to speak to Balde on Monday after deciding he wasn't mentally prepared to play - and that chat appears to have been a positive one from Barca's perspective.
Reports had suggested United would need to pay around £30million to sign the 22-year-old, who is seen as an alternative to the much more expensive Lewis Hall. However, Romano has said it would now require a "big proposal" to get him out of Catalonia this summer.
Zirkzee 'expects to leave'
The Daily Mail has reported Joshua Zirkzee expects to leave United between now and the September 1 deadline. The Dutchman has been tipped for an exit for much of the summer thus far and could find a willing suitor in Juventus.
A long line of clubs have been linked with Zirkzee in recent months, including Napoli, Roma and Premier League rivals Aston Villa. The 25-year-old previously impressed for Bologna prior to joining United in a £36.5m deal two years ago and a return to Italy is seen as the most viable option.
Juve would be even better-equipped to chase his signature if they manage to offload Jonathan David in the coming days. And Romano has said on his YouTube channel that could be possible after Atletico Madrid showed interest in the Canadian forward.
Villa could also be a willing suitor as they ramp up their efforts to sign a new attacker. Question marks still remain over the future of England forward Ollie Watkins, whom The Telegraph reported has the chance to earn £12m a year if he joins Saudi giants Al-Hilal.
The concern for United is being left short in the forward department if they allow Zirkzee to leave without signing a replacement. And with less than a week of the window left to go, Carrick and his board could be in a race against time on both ends to sanction a sale.
