Manchester United appear to be stepping up their pursuit of a new left-back before the September 1 transfer deadline, with manager Michael Carrick keen to identify a long-term alternative to Luke Shaw. Shaw, who turned 31 in July, has entered the final year of his contract, though United hold the option to extend it by an additional season.
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall had reportedly been United's primary target given his impressive performances since arriving at St James' Park from Chelsea in 2023, initially on loan. Speculation intensified over the weekend suggesting United could test Newcastle's resolve to keep the England international before the window closes.
However, Newcastle have made their position unmistakably clear. The Magpies have already seen several key players depart in recent windows, including Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and are reluctant to lose another important squad member. Hall himself impressed during Newcastle's dramatic 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their Premier League season opener on Sunday, despite conceding a stoppage-time penalty for a foul on Victor Munoz that allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to salvage a point from the spot for the visitors.
Speaking to Viaplay after the match, Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle was directly asked by former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, now working as a pundit, about reports that his old club were monitoring Hall. Jaissle's response left little room for interpretation, replying with a laugh: "No chance," repeating the phrase for emphasis.
With Newcastle standing firm, attention has turned to an alternative option in Barcelona's Alejandro Balde. The Spanish full-back was notably absent from Barcelona's matchday squad for their emphatic 5-0 LaLiga opening win over Elche on Sunday, a decision head coach Hansi Flick later attributed to the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding the player.
According to Catalan outlet Sport, Balde is keen to leave Barcelona before the deadline and has asked his representative, Jorge Mendes, to explore a possible move to Old Trafford, having previously expressed admiration for the English club. Flick confirmed he had spoken with the defender about his state of mind following the win over Elche.
"I spoke with Alejandro Balde today and said to him that I think you're not here 100 per cent, so it's best that you stay at home and clear your mind," Flick said. "We will talk again tomorrow." The coach was quick to clarify that he had not instructed the player to leave the club, adding: "I have not told Alejandro Balde to leave. I spoke with him this morning, I told him to think about it." Marc Casado and Hector Font were also left out of Barcelona's squad for the fixture.
Should a deal for Baleba materialize, it would represent Carrick's fourth senior signing since taking charge over the summer, following the arrivals of midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, along with backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Separately, United confirmed on Sunday that 19-year-old midfielder Jacob Devaney has joined Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on a season-long loan deal. The move includes an option for Hibs to sign the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international permanently next summer. Devaney previously spent the second half of last season on loan at St Mirren, also in Scotland.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).