FC Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde has decided to stay at his boyhood outfit on the eve of his team’s La Liga home debut against Athletic Club according to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano and COPE, citing anonymous sources.
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FC Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde has decided to stay at his boyhood outfit on the eve of its La Liga home debut against Athletic Club according to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano and COPE, citing anonymous sources.
“I understand Alejandro Balde has informed Barcelona about his desire to STAY at the club and compete for a spot.
His intention is clear; the decision is up to the club after exploring a sale.
Only a big proposal from a top club can change the scenario from now to Deadline Day,” the Italian tweeted on X.
A big indicator as to whether Alejandro Balde might stay on at his club of 16 years will be when manager Hansi Flick reveals his squad list for Thursday’s mentioned clash with Athletic Club. On Wednesday, the German said Balde was part of the team.
On Sunday, however, Balde didn’t make the cut for the 0-5 win at Elche, which many took as a sign his days in Catalonia were numbered after Jijantes reported he had decided to leave the club.
Flick appeared to question Balde’s commitment in the prematch press conference that previewed the tie, but he also insisted that he’d not told the 22-year-old to pack his bags following the goalfest at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
In the meantime, there were reports of Manchester United wanting to take Balde out on loan with an option to buy.
Barca apparently pushed for a permanent sale, however, with their price tag on the academy product a low €30-40 million.
In the end, though, the player’s word is often final in these cases and Balde can stay put if he wishes on a contract that runs until 2028.
Balde staying at FC Barcelona is better than a cheap sale
After five years in the first team which have brought invaluable Champions League experience and three La Liga titles, the quoted figures are much too low for a player like Balde – who is often cited among the world’s best left backs.
Especially when sold to a moneyed Premier League club that routinely overpays, Balde could once more command double that amount with a good season at the Spotify Camp Nou if he gets his head together and fights Joao Cancelo for the left flank spot.
If he really has to leave, Balde should be loaned out with an option to buy for something north of the €55 million Liverpool can reportedly pay to permanently land Ronald Araujo from FC Barcelona.
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