Alejandro Balde has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United as the Reds search for a new left-back. The defender returned to Barcelona's squad for Thursday night's La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao, but Hansi Flick opted to leave him on the bench despite teenage full-back Xavi Espart being booked early on.
The decision comes after recent reports from SPORT that the Spaniard is rethinking his future at Barca after meeting with his agent, Jorge Mendes. The 22-year-old is of interest to United, although club sources have played down their chances of signing him this summer.
Barcelona's £30m valuation
The Catalan club value their academy graduate at around £30million, according to sources in Spain, and are not interested in loaning him out. Barcelona are well-known for developing world-class left-backs, with both options in Spain's World Cup-winning squad coming through La Masia. However, neither Alex Grimaldo nor Marc Cucurella made more than one first-team appearance before being sold.
Now another full-back from Barca's fabled academy, in Balde, is being linked with a switch to Old Trafford. The defender did not play on Thursday, fuelling rumours of his departure. Espart started ahead of him in Barca's first two games of the season, a 5-0 win over Elche and a 2-0 victory against Bilbao.
United's left-back search
Sources in Spain report that the Catalan club value Balde at £30million, and are only considering a permanent sale. Signing a left-back to compete with Luke Shaw this summer has been among the priorities for United, but with the September 1 deadline quickly approaching, time is running out for Michael Carrick's side.
While Patrick Dorgu has shifted comfortably to the left wing, makeshift options Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui remain natural right-backs. Academy prospect Harry Amass is another candidate, though he lacks top-flight experience.
Alternative targets
Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall is viewed as an ideal addition in that area of the pitch, but a move for the Magpies' full-back was always going to be difficult after they sold Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The Reds could revisit that interest in the England international next summer, should they fail to sign a long-term solution at left-back this summer.
Other names being linked include Racing Santander star Jorge Salinas. It comes after the club's sporting director, Chema Aragon, recently admitted Salinas could leave if his £14m release clause is met.
