Barcelona have put Alejandro Balde back on the market at the worst possible time for rivals, with a reported January valuation of around €40 million (£34.2m) and Liverpool plus Manchester United both interested. The 22-year-old left-back has not played a single minute in La Liga this season, which is a remarkable fall for a player who has already built up 168 Barcelona appearances and won three league titles.

Barcelona's changed view of Balde

The cleanest read is that Balde is no longer being treated as an untouchable. Sport said Flick’s decision to leave Balde out of the rotation came very late in the summer transfer window, leaving the player with almost no time to react. That explains why January now matters, because Barcelona appear willing to listen if a buyer gets close to the €40 million figure.

The absence is the big clue. Balde has 0 appearances and 0 minutes in La Liga this season, despite being 22 and already having a sizeable senior career behind him. That sort of situation tends to move quickly once a club decides the player is available.

Liverpool and Manchester United are still in the picture

Juan Jesus of teamtalk.com reported that Liverpool are going all out for Alejandro Baldé in January, while also saying that Andoni Iraola has made the left-back the absolute priority to bolster the team this winter. Sport added that Liverpool would consider Balde an interesting transfer opportunity.

Manchester United's position has been a little different. Fabrizio Romano said United were only interested in a loan deal, potentially with a buy-option clause becoming mandatory under certain conditions, while Barcelona were never going to accept a loan for Balde. That gap is where the deal would have to move if United are serious.

The situation is live because both English clubs want a left-back and Barcelona are at least open to a sale. Balde's profile is unusual for a January target, not because of his age, but because a 22-year-old with 168 Barcelona games and three La Liga medals is suddenly available if the price is right.

Manchester United host AS Roma next in a pre-season friendly, while Liverpool's left-back options remain Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas in the broader market discussion.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →