Manchester United are reportedly set to have a battle with former manager Ruben Amorim for the signing of Barcelona star Alejandro Balde. United have been heavily linked with signing a new left-back in recent months, with the rumours dating back to the start of the summer transfer window.
United saw Tyrell Malacia leave the club as a free agent at the start of the summer, leaving Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu as the only senior left-back options at the club. Balde was rumoured to be a target for United throughout the summer, but the Reds were not able to agree a deal to bring the Barcelona defender to Old Trafford, who instead remained at the Camp Nou.
Amorim's Milan join the race
Now, though, it seems that United may have to worry about other clubs potentially making a move for Balde, with Amorim's new side AC Milan now reportedly joining the race for his signature. According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Milan have now expressed an interest in signing Balde, and are preparing to make a push to sign the left-back when the January transfer window opens.
The report also claims that former United boss and current Milan manager, Amorim, wants to sign a new left-back, which is seeing the club push for a deal. Spanish news outlet Sport reported in the summer that Barcelona have placed a €45million (£38.6million) valuation on Balde, but whether that would be the case for January remains to be seen.
Balde's Barcelona future in doubt
Another report from Konur has also claimed that Balde is close to leaving Barcelona in the summer, with the Spain international no longer part of manager Hansi Flick’s plans for the La Liga giants. United are mentioned as still being in the running, as are Chelsea, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
It remains to be seen what United have planned for the January transfer window, with several matches left to play before the window opens. United were handed an injury blow over the international break with Dorgu being withdrawn from Denmark’s win over Wales in the Nations League over the weekend with a suspected fitness concern. Noussair Mazraoui, who is also capable of being used at left-back, has also emerged as an injury concern for United this week after being substituted during a game for Morocco.
