Barcelona are setting the tone for any potential winter transfer involving Alejandro Balde, with Spanish reports claiming the club value the left-back at €40m. Mendes, widely connected around the game, has been in touch with a range of clubs to explore whether a deal can be arranged as attention turns to the January window.
The timing matters for Premier League clubs because Balde’s situation at Barcelona has shifted under manager Hansi Flick. While the full context can vary match to match, reports suggest the Spain youth international has found playing time harder to come by this season and has fallen out of Flick’s first-choice selection at left-back.
What this means for Manchester United
Manchester United’s interest has been building for some time, particularly because they have not had the same dependable option at left-back throughout the campaign. Luke Shaw’s fitness has been a recurring concern, leaving United to dip into alternatives during games.
Diogo Dalot has increasingly been used on the left when required, while Ayden Heaven has also covered in that area. United’s reluctance to overpay has been a factor before: they approached Newcastle about Lewis Hall in the summer but reportedly did not meet the asking price, and Hall ultimately remained at St James’ Park.
With United needing quality across the full league schedule—not just short-term emergency cover—the idea of an attainable, pre-valued target like Balde becomes more attractive. A €40m figure, if accurate, would also give United a clearer framework for deciding whether to push in January rather than wait for summer negotiations.
Why Liverpool are mentioned too
Manchester United are not the only Premier League side linked. Liverpool have also been mentioned among clubs Mendes has contacted, alongside other European teams such as Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica.
For Liverpool, the appeal would be the same as it is for United: strengthening left-back depth now rather than gambling on who will be available week to week. If Barcelona genuinely are open to a sale at a set number, it can quickly turn transfer monitoring into concrete talks.
No official statement has been made by Barcelona or Balde’s representatives on any move. For now, it is a story driven by reported contact and valuation—an early signal that January could bring competition for a player who remains highly regarded, even if his role at Barcelona has changed under Flick.
