Alejandro Balde decides to LEAVE Barcelona as Man Utd open transfer talks

The Red Devils' summer recruitment drive is showing no signs of slowing down despite a bruising 2-0 defeat to Hull City in their Premier League opener. While the club is poised to complete a £70 million deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, the focus has shifted to the left-back position. Following the setback at the MKM Stadium, it has become clear that further surgery is required on Michael Carrick's squad before the window slams shut following a 'schoolboy' error from veteran defender Luke Shaw.

The Old Trafford hierarchy had initially identified Newcastle star Lewis Hall as a primary target to solve their defensive woes. However, the Magpies have no intention of selling the former Chelsea man, forcing United to look elsewhere. This search has led them directly to Catalonia, where Balde has emerged as a serious candidate, as per Fabrizio Romano.

According to reports from Jijantes, Balde has decided that his time at Barcelona has come to an end. The La Masia graduate, who played a pivotal role in the club's recent title success, is said to be unconvinced about his long-term prospects under Hansi Flick.

The Spanish international started 21 league games last season but saw his campaign disrupted by hamstring and muscle injuries that kept him out for 10 matches. With Joao Cancelo arriving on a free transfer for his third spell at the club, competition for the left-back slot has intensified. In response to this, his agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly stepping up efforts to secure a move away, with preliminary talks already underway with United.

Barcelona head coach Flick addressed the speculation surrounding Balde’s future ahead of their opening fixture against Elche. While acknowledging the defender's ability, Flick emphasised the need for total commitment. The German coach stated: "He’s a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position. That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play."

Flick continued to stress the importance of the collective over individual concerns during this period of transition. "Ultimately, we have to play as a team; only then will we achieve success. I need everyone to be one hundred percent," he added.

The situation at the Camp Nou remains fluid as the deadline approaches. Flick has refused to rule out further departures, noting that the club is undergoing significant structural changes.

"We’re making a lot of changes within the club, so we may have to wait until the transfer window closes. That’s normal," he continued. "When you decide to bring in new players, you also have to consider how to strengthen the team. The situation has been made very clear to the players, and now we must wait until the end of the market to see what happens."