AS Roma crest printed on a corner flag is seen during the Serie A football match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Olimpico stadium in Rome (Italy), May 4, 2025. andreaxstaccioli
AS Roma crest printed on a corner flag is seen during the Serie A football match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Olimpico stadium in Rome (Italy), May 4, 2025. andreaxstaccioli
Liverpool’s hopes of landing one of Europe’s most exciting young full backs could face fresh competition this winter.
Spanish outlet SPORT reports that the player’s agent has offered him to Roma, with the January transfer window fast approaching.
According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, as relayed by SPORT, the defender’s representatives have put him forward to Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who are looking to strengthen at left back and believe he would suit their tactical needs.
The arrangement under discussion is a loan until the end of the season with an option to buy and that would let Roma bring him in without a large initial outlay, while giving his parent club the chance to collect a significant fee next summer.
Alejandro Balde’s situation at Barcelona has changed dramatically in a short space of time.
The academy graduate made 170 appearances for the club and was once regarded as one of Hansi Flick’s most important players.
This season, however, the permanent signing of Joao Cancelo and the emergence of teenager Xavi Espart have pushed him down the pecking order.
The Spanish defender has played just 28 minutes across two substitute appearances in La Liga and the Champions League and has been an unused substitute in eight of Barcelona’s other games since the end of August.
That fall from favour has attracted a lot of interest.
Back in September, Spanish journalist Juan Jesus reported that Liverpool held “a very high level of interest” in the 23 year old.
Chelsea and AC Milan were also named as suitors, and the report pointed to January as a possible exit point.
Juventus have since explored a similar loan with an option to buy, but Barcelona’s valuation of around €50 million has so far proved a major stumbling block.
For Liverpool, the logic is clear.
Kostas Tsimikas is among the players whose contracts expire at the end of the season, and adding a pacy, attack-minded left back with Champions League and international experience would give Andoni Iraola valuable depth and competition on that flank.
Balde still has a contract with Barcelona until June 2028, so the Catalan club are under no immediate pressure to sell.
Any deal would also need the approval of both Barcelona and the player.
If Roma move quickly with a loan, Liverpool may need to decide whether they want to compete for him in January or wait until the summer, when Barcelona might be more open to a permanent sale.
With Jorge Mendes now actively looking for options, though, Balde’s future could be settled long before then.
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