Manchester United have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, with the 22-year-old ready to leave the Catalan club.
Reports from Jijantes indicate that Balde has decided his time at Barcelona is over, with the player unconvinced about his long-term future under manager Hansi Flick.
The La Masia graduate was instrumental in Barcelona’s success last season, making 42 appearances across all competitions and helping the club win La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana.
Despite those contributions, Balde finds himself on the fringes of Flick’s plans, with first-team opportunities expected to be increasingly limited as the season progresses.
The arrival of Joao Cancelo on a free transfer for his third spell at Barcelona has intensified competition for the left-back position, further pushing Balde towards the exit door.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, is reportedly stepping up efforts to secure a move away from the club, with preliminary talks already underway with Manchester United.
Barcelona are willing to let Balde leave and are understood to be asking for a fee in the region of £43m, considering him a transferable asset at this stage.
United are keen to explore a cost-effective deal and have also reportedly considered the possibility of a season-long loan arrangement, should Barcelona be open to that option.
The Red Devils are actively seeking left-back reinforcements this summer, with Tyrell Malacia having departed on a free transfer and Luke Shaw currently carrying the workload in that position alone.
Patrick Dorgu operates primarily as a left winger rather than a traditional full-back, meaning the need for a dedicated left-back to challenge and support Shaw has become a clear priority.
Balde brings considerable experience to the table despite his young age, having made 168 senior appearances for Barcelona and establishing himself as a Spanish international in the process.
Known for his blistering pace, dribbling ability, and ball-carrying quality, he is viewed as an ideal long-term solution on the left side of United’s defence.
The expectation at Old Trafford is that Balde would initially serve as Shaw’s understudy before gradually developing into the first-choice option over time.