Manchester City reportedly asked Barcelona about the availability of Alejandro Balde ahead of the recent summer transfer window
The 19-year-old left-back enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough campaign in 2021/22, usurping the starting left-back slot from Jordi Alba and cementing himself as the first choice in the position.
Having impressed in the last season, the young Spaniard has started the new campaign on a strong note and is affirming his status as one of the best young left-backs in the game.
And now, it has emerged that Manchester City had their eye on Balde and even asked Barcelona about the La Masia academy graduate.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Twitch (h/t SPORT), Manchester City lodged an enquiry with Barcelona for rising star Alejandro Balde earlier this year but were met with a firm rejection.
Speaking in a recent video on his YouTube channel, Romano had this to say on the matter.
He said: “From what I heard, this summer, it was early, it was the end of April, beginning of May so the very early stages of the summer transfer window, Manchester City asked for information about Balde.
“People at Man City really like Balde, they believe he has fantastic potential and so they asked Barcelona about some possibility for Balde, maybe to make a bid, maybe to discuss about a swap deal, but from Barca, the answer was a no because Balde was never considered as a player on the market.
“They trust Balde, they want Balde to be a part of the project and his contract is extended until 2028.”
Of course, a new contract does not necessarily mean City will be unable to capture Balde. After all, Barca are still in a delicate financial situation and if City put up enough money they will simply have to sell.
But it is clear that if City want to land Balde, they will have to pay a premium price. And this will likely result in the reigning Prem champions focusing on other transfer targets for January.
The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.
@HaalandSZN1999: “Sign him up”
@Jalin_MCFC: “One of my favourite player at Barcelona. Bring him to Etihad.”
@Goatpr0p: “Would be an incredible signing.”
@citygalore: “What a signing this would be. It would never in a million years happen though”
@RodriGOAT16: “Sadly won’t happen”
@davidadamson938: “He would’ve been our best signing this summer. He is a huge talent.”
