Manchester United could be closing in on a surprise late addition to their squad, with reports suggesting the club has set its sights on Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as a potential fifth signing before the transfer window slams shut.
The 22-year-old Spanish international was a notable absentee from Hansi Flick's 21-man squad that traveled to Alicante for Sunday evening's fixture against Elche, fueling speculation that his future at Camp Nou may be uncertain. Balde was left out alongside two other players who have been tied to transfer speculation, Marc Casado and Hector Fort, adding weight to suggestions that Barcelona may be open to letting some fringe or negotiable assets depart in the closing days of the window.
United's interest in Balde is said to have intensified in recent days, with the club reportedly already in contact with the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, to explore the framework of a possible transfer. According to reports out of Spain, Mendes has been in discussions with Barcelona regarding multiple clients, including Balde and Casado, during a visit to Catalonia that was initially centered on finalizing Joao Cancelo's return to the club.
Despite indications that Flick is reluctant to lose Balde from his defensive options, the player's exclusion from the matchday squad has been interpreted as a signal that a departure could be on the cards. Some reports from Spanish outlets have gone further, claiming that Balde himself is eager to leave Barcelona before the transfer deadline, with Mendes actively working to identify a new destination for him.
For Manchester United, the pursuit of Balde fits into a broader need to address the long-term future of the left-back position. Current first-choice Luke Shaw turned 31 last month and is entering the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, though United do hold the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months. Balde, at 22, would represent a younger long-term alternative for the position.
United have also been linked with other left-back options in recent weeks, though none appear as advanced as the interest in Balde. RB Leipzig captain David Raum and Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas have both been mentioned as possible targets, with Salinas reportedly also drawing interest from Atletico Madrid. Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown has similarly been floated as a target for the Red Devils. There had also been tentative talk of a move for another left-back, though that deal is now considered highly unlikely to materialize given the limited time remaining before the window closes.
Should a deal for Balde be completed, it would mark United's fifth signing of the summer transfer window. The club has already added midfielder Carlos Baleba, along with fellow midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, as well as backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow, as part of a summer rebuild under their current management setup.
With just over a week remaining before the transfer deadline, all eyes will be on whether United can convert their interest in Balde into a concrete agreement with Barcelona, and whether the Catalan club is willing to sanction the departure of a player who has been a regular fixture in their squad in recent seasons.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.