FC Barcelona
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have been urged to explore a bold summer move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, as the Spanish giants continue to grapple with severe financial constraints.
According to insights from football analyst@nonewthing, the Gunners could exploit the situation by offering a lucrative package that may prove too tempting for both the player and his club to ignore.
The 21-year-old Spanish international is widely regarded as one of the most promising young full-backs in Europe. Despite making 79 senior appearances for Barcelona and featuring for Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Balde remains one of the lowest-paid regulars at the Camp Nou, reportedly earning between €30,000 and €50,000 per week.
Arsenal, led by manager Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta, are actively seeking elite young talent to strengthen their squad. Balde has been identified as a strong fit for the Gunners’ tactical blueprint, and the north London club are encouraged to prepare a substantial bid in the region of €70 million, accompanied by a weekly wage offer of €250,000, five times the player’s current salary.
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Such an offer could present Barcelona with a dilemma. The Catalan club are under mounting financial pressure, having already committed €25 million to sign goalkeeper Joan Garcia and intensifying their pursuit of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, whose release clause is estimated between €58 million and €64 million. These moves have pushed Barcelona closer to La Liga’s financial fair play limits, increasing the likelihood that player sales may be needed to balance the books.
Arsenal - Alejandro Balde
Alejandro Balde (Image credit: Getty Images)
“Arsenal drop a €250K-per-week offer for Balde today. What do you think happens? His camp ask Barca to match or at least come close,” @nonewthing posted. “What do you think Barca does after spending all that money on Nico and others?”
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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is understood to view Balde as a key component of his project. The club reportedly turned down a €40 million approach from Arsenal in 2024 and continue to cite the full-back’s €1 billion release clause as a deterrent. However, with financial constraints mounting, there is growing speculation that Barcelona may be forced to soften their stance, especially if Balde’s representatives push for a significant wage hike the club cannot afford.
—Make Balde the most expensive FB of all time
—€70M+ to Barca, €250K to Balde
—Balde currently one of the lowest-paid regulars at Barca
—Arsenal offer induces wage demand from Balde camp to Barca
—Barca unlikely to match or come close (hopefully)
—Pitch short-lived career of… pic.twitter.com/cuuXxvE0oP
— AI (@nonewthing) June 17, 2025
For Arsenal, Balde fits a specific tactical need. Arteta is seeking a press-resistant left-back with ball-carrying ability, capable of driving forward from deep positions. “Arsenal need a guy who can break a press from deep. Someone who touches the ball and can carry it against opposition flow for 30–40 metres. Alphonso Davies or Alejandro Balde,” @nonewthing previously noted.
Arsenal are monitoring Nico Williams and strikers such as Viktor Gyökeres and Benjamin Sesko. The Gunners’ strong financial footing and Champions League status position them as serious players in this summer’s transfer market.
Should the Gunners press ahead with a formal offer, it could spark a transfer domino effect in Catalonia, either forcing a costly contract renewal or potentially prising away one of the brightest young defenders in European football. In either case, the Gunners may find themselves in a strong position to land one of Europe’s top defensive prospects at a time when their rivals are under maximum pressure.
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