Barcelona homegrown talent not considering summer exit despite losing starting spot | OneFootball

Barcelona have acted with urgency ahead of the summer transfer window, securing the signature of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

The club have also placed emphasis on sales, reaching an agreement with AS Monaco for the transfer of Ansu Fati.

It looks like Deco and the sporting department are keen on making major moves this summer to reinforce the squad at Flick’s disposal, and one player whose future is up in the air is Alejandro Balde.

The 22-year-old Spanish left-back has been linked with a potential exit from the club, with Marc Cucurella being touted as a potential replacement.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, despite losing his starting spot to Joao Cancelo in the final few months of the season, Balde is not considering leaving the club this summer.

Balde still has a role to fight for

Balde wants to fight for his place. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

A couple of seasons ago, selling Balde would have been unthinkable for Barcelona. He broke into the first team as a teenager and displaced the legendary Jordi Alba from a position he had made his own.

The Spaniard is still just 22 and offers a very unique profile to the team. He had been a starter ever since his ascent into the first team until Cancelo made that position his own in recent months.

The challenge for Balde is clear. Everyone knows what he brings to the table, but his development in the last few seasons has stalled.

The youngster needs to take his game to the next level, start making better final third decisions and develop into the left-back Flick wants in his system.

Barcelona must handle this carefully

The temptation to refresh the position is understandable, especially with a proven Premier League player such as Cucurella keen on returning to Blaugrana.

Balde’s future could define Cucurella’s arrival. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

However, Barcelona should be careful about moving on from a player who has the potential to define a generation in his position.

Many times in football, a season is all it takes for a player to explode and take their game to the next level, and Balde’s time does not seem far off.

Yes, he has flaws he needs to improve, but parting ways with him seems premature. Selling him now should only be an option if an extraordinary offer is tabled.

For now, Balde wants to stay, and it is time for Barca to also stick with him rather than play a game of twist.

Next season could be crucial in the 22-year-old’s career, and he will be keen to make an impression during pre-season.