Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde attracts Premier League and Serie A interest

Alejandro Balde’s future at Barcelona is entering a decisive phase, with his agent Jorge Mendes assessing interest from leading clubs in England and Italy ahead of the winter transfer window.

According to Sport, Balde has recognised that leaving Barcelona could be the best option for him when the market reopens. The left-back is seeking a sporting project where he can regain regular playing time and restore his influence.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo is viewed as a possible example for Balde to follow. Araujo rebuilt his market value during his loan spell at Liverpool, and Balde is hoping to achieve something similar by securing consistent opportunities and demonstrating his ability at a club prepared to rely on him.

Mendes is contacting a number of clubs to establish how serious their interest is and will discuss the available alternatives with Balde over the coming weeks.

Barcelona’s preference is to sell the player for 40m euros. However, Mendes believes a loan deal with an option to buy would be more realistic. That option could become mandatory if certain conditions are met.

The Catalan club would at least hope that a temporary move increases Balde’s market value and creates the conditions for a significant sale next summer. As one of Barcelona’s academy graduates, any transfer fee would go entirely to the club.

Premier League and Serie A options

Mendes has been focusing particularly on the English market. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United have all been informed of the possible terms of a deal, although none has made a final decision.

Tottenham and Manchester City are also among the clubs being considered. Any approach from either side, however, would depend on players leaving during the January transfer window.

In Italy, Roma and Juventus have already held meetings with Mendes to ask about the conditions for signing Balde. The main obstacle for both clubs is the player’s salary, which would be difficult for their financial structures to accommodate.

Monaco remain committed to the possibility of signing Balde. Benfica, meanwhile, have cooled their interest after showing strong desire to recruit him in the summer, with their left-back position now occupied within the Portuguese side.

Balde’s departure is particularly important to Barcelona’s sporting plans. The club believes the reduction in its wage bill, combined with around 4m euros currently available in salary margin, could be decisive in allowing it to operate in the January market while retaining the ability to register new players.

Barcelona’s sporting department wants to use that financial room to sign either a high-level left-footed centre-back or a versatile full-back. Both positions are considered priorities for Hansi Flick’s squad.

Although Barcelona would prefer a permanent sale, it is prepared to examine different structures that would immediately reduce its wage commitments while preserving the prospect of future income.

Mendes now has several weeks to organise the available options and present Balde with the most attractive proposals. A decision is expected in December, with the intention of completing his departure during the January transfer window.