Alejandro Balde's Barcelona Career at a Crossroads

Alejandro Balde has reached the crossroads of his Barcelona career. The club’s faith once looked unquestionable. Now, the signs are all pointing in one direction: the exit door.

Spanish outlet Marca report that his agent, Jorge Mendes, has already flown into Barcelona this week. The Portuguese super-agent met with the club’s sporting director before sitting down with Balde and Marc Casado, outlining the scenarios on the table for both players. Casado’s departure has been expected for some time. Balde’s, until recently, had not.

That has changed quickly.

The first real jolt came when Barcelona left the Spanish full-back out of the squad to face Elche. No minor detail. At a club where squad lists often reveal more than press conferences, his omission felt like a clear message: his future is under serious review.

On the table are three offers. Manchester United are out in front. Current indications place the Premier League side closest to securing the Spain international, with two other unnamed clubs also pushing to sign him. The interest is concrete, the scenario advanced, but not yet sealed.

Balde has not given his final answer. Barcelona still need to open formal negotiations with the interested clubs, and for now his departure is not described as imminent. Even so, the expectation inside and around the club is that a decision will arrive in the coming days, not weeks.

The odds on him staying are shrinking. His absence against Elche speaks loudly, and the plan for the left flank is changing. Joao Cancelo is expected to assume the starting role at left-back, a shift that naturally nudges the club toward cashing in on Balde while his market value remains high.

If the transfer goes through, Barcelona will be forced into a quick defensive reshuffle. They could move for a new specialist left-back or choose to strengthen at centre-back instead, a long-standing priority for the sporting department. The choice will shape not just the depth chart, but the defensive identity of the team for the season ahead.

There is also a homegrown route on the table. Should Barcelona decide against signing another full-back, Gerard Martin could be promoted as an internal solution at left-back. With the transfer window closing in just nine days, that kind of decision can no longer be delayed.

The clock is ticking at Barcelona, and for Alejandro Balde, the next few days are set to define where his career truly begins.