Christopher Vivell has urged INEOS to test Barcelona’s resolve for Spain int’l after spearheading Sesko deal

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Stretty News

·23 February 2026

Christopher Vivell has urged INEOS to test Barcelona’s resolve for Spain int’l after spearheading Sesko deal

Manchester United’s Director of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell, has urged the club to pursue a deal for Alejandro Balde this summer.

Ben Jacobs claims the Barcelona star has been ‘proposed’ by Vivell, despite the general consensus being that he wants to stay put in Catalonia.

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Luke Shaw out, Alejandro Balde in?

(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It’s not the first time United have been linked with Balde, either, so there is seemingly some substance to the speculation.

Presumably, INEOS are beginning to make plans to find a long-term successor to Luke Shaw, who’s now 30 and out of contract next year.

While he has been able to maintain his fitness and be available to start every Premier League fixture this term, it would be ill-advised to grant him fresh terms when he approaches the end of his deal, given how much injuries have plagued his United career since he signed in 2014.

The left-back will be hoping he can do enough from now until the culmination of 2025/2026 to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, which would also see his fitness heavily tested if he were to be playing such high-intensity fixtures with little turnaround between each of England’s outings.

Why a left-back like Balde is necessary at United this summer

(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

This time last year, his counterpart Patrick Dorgu was still getting settled into the fold at Old Trafford, though he has enjoyed his most prolific and eye-catching form when operating as a winger – hence the need for reinforcements on the left-hand side of defence.

At only 22, Balde is viewed as one of the best in the position across Europe. However, you can understand the La Masia graduate wanting to stick with Barcelona as they continue their revival under Hansi Flick.