Manchester United are searching for a new left-back during the current transfer window, with Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde emerging as a possible option alongside Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall.
The Old Trafford club have received a significant boost in their quest to sign a new left-back, as Alejandro Balde is expected to depart Barcelona before next month’s transfer window closes. While Manchester United consider Newcastle’s Lewis Hall their main target, the Magpies’ unwillingness to sanction his exit from St James’ Park has created complications.
Insiders have informed TEAMtalk that the North East club will only approve a move for the 21-year-old if Manchester United pay a record fee for a full-back, surpassing the £68million that Lucas Hernandez received when moving from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid in 2019.
Consequently, United have started looking at alternatives to replace Luke Shaw, who at 31 years old has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at Old Trafford. Barcelona’s Balde has become one of the options being considered alongside Hall.
The 22-year-old has been with the Catalan club since progressing through their academy system in 2021. However, due to strong competition and injury setbacks, he has recently fallen out of favour under Hansi Flick’s management.
According to Sport, the Spanish player has authorised Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes to negotiate a move to a different club. Balde has been left out of Flick’s senior squad for the trip to face Elche on Sunday evening in their opening La Liga fixture, with the head coach stating he only intends to select players who are fully committed to the club.
As a result, United could secure a bargain option compared to Hall in the near future. Nevertheless, the Red Devils will need to outmanoeuvre clubs in Portugal and Italy, as several teams from those countries have also been linked with the defender.
This development comes as United have prioritised strengthening their midfield following Casemiro’s departure on a free transfer, with several new signings arriving in the centre of the pitch and additional arrivals potentially following.
Manchester United signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa in a deal worth £35million, before completing a £52million move for Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
However, the club are now pursuing Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, with interest in the 22-year-old first surfacing twelve months ago.
The club have reached an agreement worth £70million for the midfielder, inclusive of £5million in potential add-ons, with a five-year contract on offer for the player, who was absent from Brighton’s Premier League opening match against Aston Villa on Sunday due to injury.
Meanwhile, United will aim to recover from their 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday when they welcome fellow top-flight newcomers Ipswich Town to their home ground in seven days’ time.