Alejandro Balde no longer untouchable as Barcelona seek transfer funds

FC Barcelona sporting director Deco is reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of Alejandro Balde this summer as the club continues to navigate the stringent financial constraints imposed by La Liga.

Despite Balde’s status as a regular starter under head coach Hansi Flick, the 22-year-old left-back is no longer considered “untouchable” by the club’s hierarchy, who view him as a primary asset to generate much-needed transfer revenue.

According to reports from Radio Marca, the decision to put Balde on the market stems from the club’s ongoing struggle to balance its wage bill and comply with the league’s 1:1 spending rule.

While Barcelona’s salary cap was recently adjusted to €432.8 million, the board remains under pressure to orchestrate significant player sales to fund summer reinforcements.

Management has identified the academy graduate as “expendable” due to his high market value and the emergence of alternative defensive options.

The news comes despite Balde enjoying a productive individual campaign. The Spanish international has made 34 appearances across all competitions this season, establishing himself as a foundational piece of Flick’s high-pressing system.

His pace and recovery ability have been vital to the team’s defensive structure, yet the financial reality at the Nou Camp means that sporting merit is being weighed against fiscal necessity.

Deco’s willingness to “cash in” on the defender has already alerted several of Europe’s elite. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly monitoring the situation, with Barcelona expected to hold out for a fee in excess of €60 million.

Although Balde signed a contract extension through 2028 with a symbolic €1 billion release clause, the club is aware that a substantial offer would provide the liquidity required to register new signings and stabilize their accounts.

For the player, who joined the club’s famed La Masia academy at age eight, the development marks a shift in his long-term prospects in Catalonia. While Flick remains a staunch supporter of the fullback’s talents, the final decision appears to rest with the sporting director and the board.