Man Utd are trying to sign a left-back before the summer transfer window closes on Tuesday evening.
Alejandro Balde of Barcelona.(Image: 2025 UEFA)
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Manchester United were irked by Barcelona when they turned down the opportunity to make Marcus Rashford's move to the Nou Camp permanent.
Barcelona wanted to sign Rashford for a lower fee than the agreed £26million, which United felt was more than fair for a player of his ability.
When the window to activate the option for Rashford closed, Spanish reports claimed that Barcelona wanted to sign him on loan again, but United were not prepared to head back to the negotiating table.
United sources confirmed they would not engage with Barcelona if the Catalans asked about another loan deal. It felt like relations between the two clubs were frosty, with United frustrated by how the La Liga giants had handled the situation, and that dynamic could affect a potential deal for Alejandro Balde.
Michael Carrick wants to sign a left-back before the transfer deadline. Luke Shaw started every Premier League game last season, becoming just the fifth United player to do so, but he cannot cope with two matches per week.
Balde is an option for United in the final week of the transfer window. United's dream left-back signing is Lewis Hall, but Newcastle have made it clear he is not for sale in this window, meaning alternatives have been considered.
Barcelona have Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart, both of whom can play at left-back, which has cast doubt on Balde's future, and reports linking him with an exit intensified when he was omitted from Barca's squad last weekend.
Hansi Flick explained that Balde was left out of the squad because he needed to clear his head amid doubts over his future.
When asked about the situation during his press conference, Flick added: "It's a difficult question because he's a player of immense quality, and it's important to know if he's confident he can compete in his position. That's what I want to see from all my players."
Alejandro Balde of Barcelona
Balde was left out of Barcelona's squad at the weekend.(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Balde's omission suggested he would leave Barcelona before the deadline, but United sources have downplayed their chances of signing the defender.
The dynamic between the two clubs after the Rashford saga is interesting. United were rightly unwilling to accept a lower fee for Rashford, and there's now every chance Barca will be unwilling to compromise on their demands for Balde.
Sources in Spain say Balde is valued at around the £30m mark, and Barcelona are not interested in sending him out on loan, even with the potential to include an option or obligation to buy in the deal.
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United are unlikely to spend £30m on a left-back when they plan to reignite their interest in Hall next summer. A loan for Balde would make a lot of sense, but why would Barcelona make a compromise when United did not with Rashford?
Pointing out that Barca are unlikely to compromise because United did not bow to their demands for Rashford should not be interpreted as criticism of United by any means. The Reds deserve to be commended for outlining a 'pay up or don't sign him' stance. It was the right thing to do.
It may have harmed their chances of signing Balde at the end of the window, though. And even if some common ground in negotiations could be found, Balde has two years remaining on his Barcelona contract, so there is a clear incentive for the Catalans to insist on a permanent sale only.
If Barcelona sent Balde to United on a season-long loan, he would have entered the final year of his deal at the Nou Camp by the time he returned, diminishing his resale value and backing the club into a corner in any discussions over an exit.
That is why Barcelona would prefer to offload Balde permanently, but United's transfer kitty for a left-back next summer would be reduced if they agreed to Barca's demands, and they need as much headroom as possible to try to sign Hall.
United's director of negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, is understood to be incredibly well respected and a skilled negotiator, but he is not a magician. He might have to pull something out of the hat in the final days of the window.