(Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Barcelona have reportedly softened their stance on letting Alejandro Balde leave after opting against doing so in the summer.
At the time, however, the full-back was also keen to stay put, as he wanted to fight for his spot under Hansi Flick.
Why Alejandro Balde might have to consider leaving Barcelona
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Yet, that is proving to be more difficult than Balde perhaps envisioned.
Of the seven La Liga matches Barcelona have played, the 22-year-old has featured in just one of them, making a 12-minute cameo off the bench in the closing stages of a win over Racing Santander.
Balde, who was granted 31 starts across all competitions last season even while navigating a hamstring injury, has been an unused substitute for five league games and for the Blaugrana’s Champions League opener against Feyenoord.
Alejandro Balde takes it past 4 🥵#UCL pic.twitter.com/23gNTXqAoH — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 11, 2025
Manchester United retain interest in Balde
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 11: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona warms up prior to the Spanish Super Cup Final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Alas, it comes as no surprise that the Spaniard is now being tipped for a move elsewhere when the January window rolls around.
Having first established their interest in him before 2026/2027 got underway, Mundo Deportivo claims that Manchester United are currently the only suitor sizing up an approach for Balde.
🚨🔴 Manchester United keep looking for new left back, next priority after Baleba deal. There have been calls with Alejandro Balde’s camp over last days to understand if exit is possible and conditions. 🔵🔴 Balde, happy at Barcelona. 🎥 https://t.co/I3pQouCrr8 pic.twitter.com/0UBK0jOMSe — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2026
They are in desperate need of reinforcements at left-back after deciding against bolstering the position before the September 1 deadline.
Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are the only out-and-out senior left-backs in the squad, and the latter has been utilised primarily as a winger since Michael Carrick took charge.
Shaw is also notoriously United’s most injury-prone player of the last decade, and it remains to be seen if Dorgu will even be available when United return to action, given he had to withdraw from the Denmark camp with an injury over the break.
A non-contact hamstring injury has forced Patrick Dorgu from the field for Denmark… Look away Manchester United fans 😬 pic.twitter.com/3Y5Sz0akge — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 27, 2026
Aside from the pair, right-back Noussair Mazraoui is next in line to deputise, followed by 19-year-old Harry Amass.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, dejected after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 18, 2026 in London, England.
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