Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde reportedly wants to stay and fight for his place

August 28, 2026 3 Min Read

By Ananya Iyer — 28 August 2026 — 3 min read

Balde’s Future at Barcelona

Alejandro Balde has reportedly informed Barcelona of his desire to remain with the club and compete for his position. This decision comes amidst recent speculation regarding a potential departure during the current summer transfer window.

Reports from Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano indicate that Balde’s intention is to continue at Camp Nou, despite earlier suggestions that he might be open to leaving. The club had previously explored the possibility of a sale for the academy graduate.

The situation now rests with Barcelona, as a significant offer from a major club would be required for any change before the transfer window closes. Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been involved in discussions, with Premier League clubs reportedly showing interest.

Manchester United is among the clubs that have reportedly contacted Barcelona representatives to inquire about terms. The English club is said to be seeking a player to rival Luke Shaw at left-back.

Flick’s Comments and Balde’s Response

Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, had previously addressed Balde’s situation. Flick highlighted Balde’s qualities but emphasised the importance of conviction to compete for a position, stating that he requires players to be fully committed.

Flick also confirmed a conversation with Balde, where he asked the player to reflect on his situation. On the morning of a recent La Liga season opener against Elche, Flick decided to omit Balde from the 23-man matchday squad.

Following a subsequent conversation, Balde was reportedly informed that he is currently viewed as a backup to Joao Cancelo. He was told he needs to demonstrate a willingness to work hard and improve to stay with the team. Balde reportedly accepted this challenge and requested playing time to prove his worth.

Sources close to Balde’s camp were reportedly surprised by recent developments. However, Barcelona sources indicated that Mendes was asked to seek offers for Balde at the beginning of the summer transfer window, an idea the defender initially refused to consider.

Balde reportedly expressed happiness with his life in Barcelona, playing for his boyhood club, which he joined at age eight after a period with Espanyol. His contract with Barcelona is set to run until June 30, 2028, and includes a release clause.

Performance and Club’s Perspective

Balde, at 22 years old, has made 168 appearances since his debut in September 2021. He was an undisputed starter at left-back during Flick’s first season (2024-25). However, towards the end of the following season, Cancelo reportedly became the preferred option.

Balde missed time in September and March with hamstring injuries during that period. While possessing strong physical attributes and pace, a perceived lack of focus and concentration issues during games have reportedly led to him falling out of favour.

First-team sources have reportedly been underwhelmed with Balde’s recent progress and perceived attitude towards improving his game. Multiple sources familiar with the situation suggest that Flick does not consider him among the most intense players in training.

Sources close to Balde acknowledge that his development has not met expectations since his most recent contract extension in 2023. When he first joined the first team in the previous year, Balde reportedly impressed by surpassing Jordi Alba.

This summer, Balde also reported for pre-season with a back injury, which prevented him from a full start from day one. Club sources were reportedly not pleased, given Balde’s absence from the World Cup and ample time for recovery before the 2026-27 season.

Despite not having his best season, Balde is considered to have high potential. However, younger La Masia prospects, such as 19-year-old Xavi Espart and 17-year-old Jordi Pesquer, have reportedly impressed Flick more with other aspects of their game.

There is an acknowledgement within the club that Balde has not progressed as expected, and standards under Flick at the Spanish champions are reportedly very high. Balde’s contract with Barcelona was renewed in September 2023.