Balde benched again as Barcelona send mixed signals over £30m Manchester United target

Alejandro Balde did not feature for Barcelona in their 2-0 La Liga victory over Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, with manager Hansi Flick opting to keep the left-back on the bench even after teenage full-back Xavi Espart picked up an early booking. The decision adds fresh intrigue to mounting speculation that Balde’s future at the Catalan club is uncertain, with Manchester United among those monitoring his situation.

Reports from Spanish outlet SPORT suggest the 22-year-old is reassessing his position at Barcelona following a meeting with his agent, Jorge Mendes. United have been linked with a move for the Spain international as they search for a long-term solution at left-back, though club sources have played down their prospects of completing a deal this summer.

Barcelona are understood to value Balde at around £30 million and are only willing to consider a permanent sale, ruling out any loan arrangement. Espart has started ahead of Balde in each of the club’s first two league fixtures — a 5-0 win over Elche and the victory against Bilbao — a sequence that has done little to dampen exit rumours.

The situation carries a familiar ring at the Nou Camp. Barcelona’s La Masia academy has a long history of producing elite left-backs, yet both Alex Grimaldo and Marc Cucurella were sold after making just one first-team appearance each. Balde, another product of that same system, now finds himself at a similar crossroads.

For United, the need to add a natural left-back before the September 1 transfer deadline is pressing. Luke Shaw has struggled with injuries, while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both natural right-backs operating out of position. Patrick Dorgu has adapted to the left wing, and academy prospect Harry Amass remains an option, though he is yet to establish himself at the top level.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has also been identified as a target, but a deal was always likely to prove difficult after the Magpies sold Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali in the same window. United could return for Hall next summer if they fail to secure a permanent left-back now.

Among the other names in circulation is Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas, whose club sporting director Chema Aragon has acknowledged the player could depart if his £14 million release clause is triggered.