Alejandro Balde Leaves Barcelona as Mendes Seeks New Club
Alejandro Balde’s Barcelona chapter is heading for an abrupt and significant twist.
Jijantes FC report that the 22-year-old left-back has decided to leave the club this summer, a move that shifts a saga which has rumbled on quietly all window into its decisive phase. Super-agent Jorge Mendes, in Barcelona this week, is now actively working to secure Balde a new team in the final days of the transfer window.
From future starter to expendable option
Balde’s situation has been under scrutiny for months. Once tipped as the long-term owner of the left flank at Camp Nou, he lost his starting spot to Joao Cancelo in the second half of last season. That demotion never really reversed.
When Barcelona then brought Cancelo back on a permanent deal this summer, the message was hard to ignore. Competition had turned into a clear hierarchy.
The La Masia graduate had consistently insisted he wanted to stay, fight for his place and prove he belonged in Hansi Flick’s plans. But internal conversations in recent days have changed the tone. After fresh talks involving Mendes and the club, Balde has now opted to seek what is being described as a “new adventure” in his career.
The shift comes against the backdrop of Flick’s doubts. The Barcelona coach did not hide his reservations when asked about Balde in his press conference earlier today.
“It’s a difficult question. Balde has a lot of quality,” Flick said. “For me it is important, as I have said before, you have to have the condition to compete in a home position and this I want to see in each player.
“I see what they do every day, which shows me that they are ready to play at the highest level. In the end, we will only succeed as a team. We need everyone 100% committed to us.”
The message was clear: talent alone will not guarantee minutes.
Manchester United circling, Milan wary of price
As Balde’s stance hardens, the market is already moving around him.
Manchester United have shown concrete interest. Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that the Premier League club contacted Mendes to ask about Balde’s situation and the conditions for a potential deal. United, in need of a dynamic full-back and with their own defensive rebuild underway, see an opportunity if Barcelona are ready to negotiate.
AC Milan have also been informed of his availability. The Spaniard has been offered to the Serie A side, but the numbers are heavy: a fee north of €40 million is being quoted, a figure that could prove problematic for the Italians.
Barcelona, for their part, are now open to a sale. With Balde prepared to leave and the club under constant financial pressure, a substantial offer would be welcomed for a homegrown asset who no longer looks central to Flick’s plans.
The consequences could be immediate. There is already talk that Balde might not even make the squad for tomorrow’s La Liga opener against Elche.
A year ago he looked like the future of Barcelona’s left side. Now the question is very different: which crest will he be wearing when this window slams shut?
