Flick decision leaves Barcelona’s Balde future unresolved before transfer deadline

Hansi Flick has left Alejandro Balde out of Barcelona’s squad for their La Liga opener against Elche after telling the left-back to stay at home and consider his future, just days before the transfer window closes.

The Barcelona head coach said he spoke to Balde on the morning of the match and told the Spain international that he was “not fully committed”. Flick explained that remaining at home was the best option for the player, allowing him time to organise his thoughts before they spoke again the following day.

Balde did not travel with the Barcelona squad to the Martinez Valero for the fixture. His omission came after a private conversation with Flick and has intensified uncertainty over whether the defender will remain at the Catalan club.

The decision has also raised questions about whether Balde’s situation is now more than a purely footballing matter. Flick’s comments suggest the player’s own view of his future at Barcelona has become an important part of the issue, with less than 10 days remaining before the transfer market shuts.

Balde’s future remains open to all possibilities, with three offers understood to be available to him. Barcelona must now decide whether to keep the left-back or allow him to leave during the final days of the window.

Flick had already hinted at the possibility of Balde’s departure during the news conference before the match. The German stressed that every player in his squad needed to be completely convinced of their ability to compete for a place in the team.

“It is important to know whether the player is convinced of his ability to compete for his position. That is what I want to see from all the players in my team,” Flick said.

Those remarks gained greater significance when Balde was subsequently excluded from the squad for Barcelona’s opening league fixture.

Flick’s decision means Balde’s immediate position at Barcelona is uncertain at a crucial stage of the club’s planning for the new campaign. The player was not involved in the trip to Elche after the manager concluded that staying away from the match would give him the opportunity to reflect.

The next conversation between Flick and Balde, scheduled for the following day, is expected to come as Barcelona weigh the options surrounding the defender. With the deadline approaching and three offers on the table, the club faces a decisive period over whether Balde’s future will remain at Camp Nou or be settled elsewhere.