Barcelona’s financial situation could see them lose one of their La Masia gems in Alejandro Balde with Arsenal and Newcastle United ready to go to war for the 19-year-old’s signature.
The LaLiga giants consider Balde as one of seven untouchables in the squad, the others being Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres. They have worked hard to tie these youngsters to new contracts in the midst of their financial woes but with Balde, it seems their efforts may not be enough.
Reports coming out of Spain indicate that though the Catalan giants have agreed terms of a new deal with the young Spain international, they do not have the financial capacity to register him as a first team player.
Balde, like Gavi, is currently registered with the club’s B team and a promotion to the first team is all but done. However, finances could see him remain in the B team for longer.
This, according to more reports, has alerted Arsenal and Newcastle to the possibility of snapping up the talented and versatile fullback who, though a natural left back, is also comfortable on the right side of defence and can fill in on the wings and as a wingback if needed.
Both clubs have approached the youngster’s representatives already but there is no news about the progress of their talks, with Balde’s current contract set to expire in the next 18 months.
The current situation is reportedly frustrating for Balde and his entourage, who are keen to secure both his financial and footballing future. Barcelona, on the other hand, are going to hold on to the 19-year-old and will keep looking for solutions to have him registered as a first team player with a new contract that runs until 2027.
Balde once again starred as Barcelona restored their three-point lead at the top of LaLiga on Sunday night following a 1 – 0 win at Atlético de Madrid.
A lone goal from Ousmane Dembele was enough to see of the tie for a Barcelona side who had to be resolute in their defending in order to hold off defending champions Real Madrid, who failed to capitalise on the Catalan’s last performance by losing to Villarreal on Saturday.
Captain Sergio Busquets believes his side did a good job and praised the defence, of whom Balde makes up a part, for their performance.
“It’s very important to keep clean sheets and we are doing it in many, many games. Everyone makes it difficult for you and, with the players they have, we knew we had to be solid at the back and we were,” he said.
“We would have liked to have been more effective and scored more goals but apart from the last chance they had, that we cleared off the line, they didn’t have too many in the second half.”
