Manchester City make Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde third summer target after Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali | OneFootball

Manchester City are competing with Manchester United and Aston Villa for the signing of Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde this summer, as per a new report.

The Blues are set to progress their squad rebuild in the upcoming transfer window after director of football Hugo Viana revamped Pep Guardiola‘s squad after replacing long-serving executive Txiki Begiristain in 2025.

City made seven new signings last summer and further added Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to their ranks in January, whilst recalling academy star Max Alleyne midway through a season-long loan at Watford amid a personnel crisis in defence.

Guardiola could leave Manchester City himself in the summer and club executives have drafted a five-candidate shortlist to replace the 55-year-old – should the Catalan decide to call time on an illustrious spell at the Etihad Stadium a year before his current deal expires in 2027.

Man City targets for summer transfer window

Viana and co are understood to be prioritising the acquisition of a world-class midfielder ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri flirting with the prospect of joining Real Madrid in the summer.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali have been reported as City’s leading targets in midfield, which could raise renewed doubt over the long-term future of Nico Gonzalez at the Etihad Stadium.

City explored the possibility of signing a new right-back ahead of the January window but Matheus Nunes‘ exemplary displays in the position convinced club officials and Guardiola’s staff that he is more than capable to hold his spot at least until the end of the current season.

The Blues are not expected to shore up their attack as things stand, having signed Semenyo in January, but in the event of an exit for Savinho – who has been linked with Tottenham – City could enter the market for reinforcements in the wide attacking areas.

Man City, Man United and Aston Villa in for Barcelona’s Balde

Mundo Deportivo are reporting, as relayed by Sport Witness, that Manchester City are competing with Manchester United and Aston Villa for the summer signing of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde.

The 22-year-old has established himself as Hansi Flick‘s first-choice option on the left side of defence in recent seasons and is enjoying a quietly impressive season at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Whilst no formal offers have been submitted to Barcelona for the Spaniard, the aforementioned trio of English sides are understood to have made behind-the-scenes approaches as they map their respective transfer strategies for the upcoming window.

However, Nico O’Reilly‘s versatility and Rayan Ait-Nouri‘s recent impressions at left-back make it highly unlikely that Manchester City will strengthen their interest in Balde. However, that could change should Nathan Ake leave the club at the end of the season.