Alejandro Blade: Barcelona star responds to Man United interest | OneFootball

Manchester United face a battle with their Premier League rivals to sign Barcelona speedster Alejandro Balde, according to a report from Spain.

New Left-Back is a Priority

The Red Devils are considering options to reinforce their backline ahead of a return to the Champions League next year – specifically at left-back. Luke Shaw has started every Premier League match in what has been an injury-free campaign for the 30-year-old Englishman, which stands in sharp contrast to his previous struggles to stay fit in a red shirt.

The relaxed schedule of no European football and early exits from the cup competitions has allowed him to rest between matches – a liberty Michael Carrick’s men will not be afforded next season.

This has led INEOS to ramp up efforts to sign another option on this flank, given Patrick Dorgu‘s reinvention as a winger looks set to continue after an impressive run of performances from the 21-year-old Dane.

A pair of English starlets – Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) – are understood to be the leading targets, though striking deals with either rival will prove as difficult as it is costly.

Alternatives on the continent, such as Balde and Eintracht Frankfurt’s flying full-back Nathaniel Brown, have also been explored, with United sporting director Jason Wilcox said to have conducted “extensive work” behind the scenes for both players.

Eyed by England’s Elite

At his best, Balde is a touchline terror, capable of providing a constant overlap on the outside of his winger with his potent pairing of speed and skill.

There are few players anywhere in Europe who can match the “explosive” 22-year-old in a foot race, offering the tantalising prospect of a deadly combination with Matheus Cunha on the left-hand side.

Recruitment director Christopher Vivell is said to have “strongly advocated” the Spain international as an option, believing his skillset is exactly what is needed at Old Trafford.

United are not alone in their admiration, however, with both Aston Villa and Manchester City understood to be “keen to secure his services” as Barcelona are “willing to listen to offers,” according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Blaugrana are looking to generate funds this summer to overhaul Hansi Flick’s forward line, with a £70 million deal already agreed with Newcastle United for Anthony Gordon and talks ongoing over a blockbuster raid on rivals Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez.

While Balde is internally rated at Camp Nou, there is growing acceptance that a big-money offer from England could allow targets elsewhere on the pitch to be secured. However, the Catalan native wants to remain at his boyhood club as he still believes he can play an “important role”.

Final Thoughts

Stylistically, Balde is an excellent complement to Shaw as an attacking full-back, with the pace and precision to make decisive movements in the final third – a quality the former Southampton star no longer has the physicality to provide.

However, the Spaniard has suffered from injury concerns in recent years, and his preference to remain in Catalonia suggests a switch to M16 would be a compromise in his mind. When combined with Barcelona’s asking price almost certain to cost a pretty penny as Man City and Villa are sniffing around, Balde loses his appeal as a target as rapidly as he hurtles down the touchline.

Feature image Judit Cartiel via Getty Images

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