Balde signals Barcelona exit as Man United weigh cut-price Hall alternative

Alejandro Balde has given agent Jorge Mendes the green light to secure him a move away from Barcelona, emerging as a potential alternative for Manchester United as their primary left-back target, Lewis Hall, looks increasingly difficult to prise from Newcastle United this summer.

United have identified Hall as their first choice to succeed Luke Shaw, who at 31 is entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford. However, Newcastle are reportedly unwilling to sanction a departure unless United surpass the positional world record — the £68 million Lucas Hernandez paid to move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid in 2019 — a demand that has prompted the club to explore other avenues.

Balde, 22, has come through Barcelona’s academy and has been at the Catalan club since 2021, but a combination of injury and stiff competition has seen him fall out of Hansi Flick’s first-team plans. The head coach omitted the Spain international from the squad for Barcelona’s La Liga opener against Elche, publicly stating he only wants players fully committed to the project.

With Mendes now tasked with finding Balde a new home, United could move quickly to secure a more affordable deal. The full-back will not be short of suitors, however, with clubs in Portugal and Italy also credited with interest.

The left-back search comes amid a busy summer of midfield recruitment at Old Trafford. United have already brought in Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million and Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £52 million following Casemiro’s departure as a free agent. The club are also reported to have agreed a £70 million deal — including £5 million in add-ons — for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with a five-year contract understood to be on the table.