Balde transfer: Man Utd left-back target responds to talk of move from Barca

Manchester United target Alejandro Balde has given his view on a move from Barcelona saying what is his aim.

The fullback has emerged as strong option at United with a lack of competition for Luke Shaw who is injury prone and there are question marks over how well he would cope with two games a week.

United are known to have spoken to Balde's agent Jorge Mendes and talks are underway.

At the same time United are known to be tracking Lewis Hall at Newcastle and Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal.

Balde has made 168 appearances for Barca since graduating from the club’s academy, helping his boyhood side win three La Liga titles.

The 22-year-old has also earned seven caps for Spain but none since 2023 and was left out of their World Cup-winning squad this summer.

In the same year, Balde signed a new contract with Barcelona until the summer of 2028 which included an unattainable buyout clause of one billion euros.

Balde's position at Barca has come under threat by the arrival of Joao Cancelo this summer which may see him look elsewhere.

He spoke after Barca's preseason clash with Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper trophy at Camp Nou where he told Spanish media that he was concentrating on working hard.

"My future? The truth is that I am a relaxed person, it is true that recently a lot has been said about me but I believe I am dealing with it well," he said.

"I don't follow the media at all but in the end news does reach you one way or another. I have to concentrate on myself, my work, my team and keep working."

Balde played well against Al Ahly and gave an assist to Hamza Abdelkarim for the opening goal in the 2-1 win for Barca.

Balde would give Michael Carrick an extremely attack-minded option at left-back.

The Spain international is at his best when driving forward from deep, using his pace to carry the ball into the final third and stretch opposition defences.

His acceleration is arguably his biggest weapon. Balde can recover quickly defensively but is equally capable of turning defence into attack with powerful runs down the flank.

He would also give United greater athleticism at left-back.

Shaw's injury record has made the position an issue for United, while Patrick Dorgu is still adapting to life at Old Trafford. Balde would provide another option who already has extensive experience at the highest level.

The biggest obstacle is Balde's desire to stay at Barcelona although this may be changing with the arrival of Balde.

The fullback came through the youth ranks at La Masia and is otherwise happy to stay at Barcelona so a move would probably only come if the club said they did not want him.

The financial side could also prove complicated, with Balde tied down to a long-term contract.

For now, United appear to be testing the situation rather than pushing ahead with a major bid.

He is a useful option to be considering along with Hall and Lewis-Skelly