Barça push Balde towards exit as Flick leaves him out | OneFootball

Barcelona have pushed Alejandro Balde towards the exit, with Hansi Flick leaving the 22-year-old out of the matchday squad for tonight’s league opener at the Martínez Valero in Elche at 21:30.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Flick’s weekend remarks about Balde’s involvement in training were taken as a clear invitation to find another club before the summer window closes on one September.

Balde, who started the Joan Gamper Trophy and did not suspect it might be his last outing for Barça, is now in the hands of agent Jorge Mendes. His task is to deliver a convincing proposal to the Spotify Camp Nou, although major clubs have largely settled their squads.

The full-back’s predicament mirrors that of fellow academy product Marc Casadó, sidelined in the final stretch of pre-season and even training apart with other transfer-listed players. Flick has taken a firm line with those he does not see progressing at Barcelona.

While Balde could sense a difficult campaign after Barça’s firm move for João Cancelo on a three-year deal, he did not begin the summer intending to leave. Well connected with the dressing-room core, he must now await how his representative and the club resolve an awkward stand-off.

Jules Koundé, by contrast, is in the squad for Elche. His future hinges more on how he accepts a new role, as Eric Garcia’s back-up at full-back and an alternative at centre-back.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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