Barcelona’s late Alejandro Balde decision leaves Hansi Flick with unwanted squad problem

Barcelona have kept Alejandro Balde for the season after leaving their search for a suitable club until the final days of the summer transfer window, despite being willing to consider offers for the Spain left-back.

Balde’s position at the club remains uncertain because he is understood to be outside manager Hansi Flick’s plans and has not played since the start of the current campaign.

Barcelona told Balde’s representatives at the beginning of the transfer window that they were prepared to listen to proposals for the 22-year-old. However, serious efforts to find him a new destination did not begin until the closing stages of the market.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona only started actively looking for a club for Balde during the final 10 days of the window. That delay left the club with little time to negotiate a deal and ultimately made a transfer significantly more difficult to complete.

One possibility discussed was a swap deal involving Balde and Inter defender Federico Dimarco. Inter rejected the proposal, while contacts with Manchester United failed to produce any meaningful progress.

Although Barcelona were open to offers, Balde himself did not push strongly for a move. The player, whose contract runs until 2028, wanted to remain at the club and convince Flick that he deserved a more prominent role.

The manager’s assessment of Balde is considered the main obstacle to that ambition. Flick does not question the defender’s technical ability, but believes he has yet to reach the required level in terms of intensity, commitment and tactical discipline.

Balde was given opportunities during pre-season, but other options were preferred in the full-back positions. Flick also values players who can operate in several roles, an approach that benefits Eric Espart.

In August, Flick held a meeting with Balde and advised him to look for another club where he could play regularly. Despite that conversation, Barcelona’s willingness to hear offers did not mean they were determined to force the defender out at any cost.

Balde had not made a clear request to leave, and the club did not identify a suitable destination before the transfer window closed. As a result, he begins the season as a reserve option in Flick’s squad rather than moving elsewhere.

His situation could still change during the campaign. Injuries, suspensions, a crowded fixture list or a drop in form from players currently ahead of him could all create opportunities for Balde to return to the starting line-up.

For now, however, Barcelona are left with a player they were prepared to sell but did not move quickly enough to place. The club’s late decision-making has ensured that Balde remains part of the squad, even though Flick’s current judgement suggests regular first-team football is not guaranteed.