Manchester United's chances of signing Alejandro Balde before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening are complicated by strained relations with Barcelona and the Catalan club's insistence on a permanent sale.
Barcelona value Balde at around the £30m mark, and sources in Spain say they are not interested in sending him out on loan, even with the potential to include an option or obligation to buy in the deal. United sources have downplayed their chances of signing the defender.
Rashford saga sours relations
United were irked by Barcelona when they turned down the opportunity to make Marcus Rashford's move to the Nou Camp permanent. Barcelona wanted to sign Rashford for a lower fee than the agreed £26m, which United felt was more than fair for a player of his ability.
When the window to activate the option for Rashford closed, Spanish reports claimed that Barcelona wanted to sign him on loan again, but United were not prepared to head back to the negotiating table. United sources confirmed they would not engage with Barcelona if the Catalans asked about another loan deal.
Relations between the two clubs felt frosty, with United frustrated by how the La Liga giants had handled the situation, and that dynamic could affect a potential deal for Balde.
Balde's future in doubt
Balde is an option for United in the final week of the transfer window. United's dream left-back signing is Lewis Hall, but Newcastle have made it clear he is not for sale in this window, meaning alternatives have been considered.
Barcelona have Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart, both of whom can play at left-back, which has cast doubt on Balde's future, and reports linking him with an exit intensified when he was omitted from Barca's squad last weekend.
Hansi Flick explained that Balde was left out of the squad because he needed to clear his head amid doubts over his future. When asked about the situation during his press conference, Flick added: "It's a difficult question because he's a player of immense quality, and it's important to know if he's confident he can compete in his position. That's what I want to see from all my players."
Permanent sale only
Balde has two years remaining on his Barcelona contract, so there is a clear incentive for the Catalans to insist on a permanent sale only. If Barcelona sent Balde to United on a season-long loan, he would have entered the final year of his deal at the Nou Camp by the time he returned, diminishing his resale value and backing the club into a corner in any discussions over an exit.
United are unlikely to spend £30m on a left-back when they plan to reignite their interest in Hall next summer. A loan for Balde would make a lot of sense, but Barcelona are unlikely to compromise because United did not bow to their demands for Rashford.
United's director of negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, is understood to be incredibly well respected and a skilled negotiator, but he is not a magician. He might have to pull something out of the hat in the final days of the window.
