MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, February 23, 2023: Barcelona's Alejandro Balde during the UEFA Europa League Play-Off 2nd Leg game between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Thursday, February 23, 2023: Barcelona's Alejandro Balde during the UEFA Europa League Play-Off 2nd Leg game between Manchester United FC and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have been named as potential suitors for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, who has been relegated to the bench this season.
Liverpool did not sign a specialist left- or right-back over the summer, despite the exit of veteran Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley’s long-term injury.
Naturally, the club will be linked with numerous potential transfer options ahead of the winter window, and Barcelona’s Balde is one of the first to hit the rumour mill.
Jordi Gil of SPORT, a Barcelona-based daily sports newspaper, claims Liverpool are the latest club connected to the 22-year-old, following Inter and Man United.
He states Andoni Iraola “would consider his signing interesting, especially if it represents a good transfer opportunity.”
Xavi Espart and Joao Cancelo have been preferred by Hansi Flick so far this season, leaving Balde on the bench for five successive games.
The left-back has a ridiculous €1 billion (£855.9m) release clause, which is standard in La Liga and designed to force direct transfer negotiations, with Gil noting the player’s market value is realistically around €40 million (£34.2m).
With 168 senior club appearances and seven senior caps for Spain, his age and experience would appeal to Liverpool, who will recognise the need to upgrade their left-back ranks.
As per FotMob, he ranked in the top eight percent for possession won in the final third compared to other players in his position in La Liga last season, and the top 15 percent for duels won.
However, there is skepticism regarding the reliability of Gil’s claims, as despite the likely accuracy that he is frustrated at the lack of game time, it could easily be agent-driven in the lead-up to January.
Balde is represented by Jorge Mendes, who will have close connections to the Spanish paper and dropping Liverpool’s name is a familiar move to show there are options beyond sitting on the bench, thus acting as a warning to the club and the manager to find a solution.
While the 22-year-old’s pace and pressing ability would suit Iraola’s system, at this stage of the season, the report comes across as calculated agent talk rather than genuine Liverpool interest.
tottenham preview FI
tottenham preview FI
Koumas, Nyoni, Mamardashvili, Mac Allister collage
Koumas, Nyoni, Mamardashvili, Mac Allister collage
Iraola Szobo Grav
Iraola Szobo Grav