Manchester United are reportedly mulling over a move for Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde ahead of the January transfer window.
Keen to bring in greater support and competition for Luke Shaw, 31, the Red Devils had identified left-back as an area of focus at the start of the summer.
However, United chiefs made it clear strengthening their central midfield was the club’s number one priority in the wake of Casemiro’s departure, and Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba all arrived through the doors at Old Trafford.
Newcastle and England full-back Lewis Hall was understood to be on United’s radar right until the transfer deadline, but securing a deal for the 22-year-old was always going to be an uphill battle.
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Hall went on to put pen to paper on a new long-term at St James’ Park and while a host of other left-backs were linked, Michael Carrick entered the new season with Shaw and Harry Amass as the only specialists in the position in his first-team squad.
Balde was among the left-backs mooted as a potential solution for United throughout the summer but according to Mundo Deportivo, the Spain international ‘didn’t even consider’ the prospect of leaving Barca.
Having been limited to a total of just 12 minutes this season, though, it’s claimed Balde may be forced think about whether or not he has a future with the reigning La Liga champions.
Joao Cancelo established himself as Barca’s first-choice left-back last term and La Masia academy product Xavi Espart has also overtaken Balde in the pecking order under Hansi Flick this season.
The report suggests Flick ‘has noticed a stagnation’ in Balde’s level of performance both in matches and on the training ground and United are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the situation ahead of the January window.
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While a summer move was never realistic for Balde, the winter market is said to ‘present a moment that could change his perception of the future’, especially if the Spaniard’s playing time fails to increase under Flick.
Balde has two years remaining on his current contract at the Camp Nou.
Speaking earlier this month, Barca head coach Flick called on an ‘unhappy’ Balde to rise to the challenge and ‘bring out the best version’ of himself amid fierce competition for places in Catalonia.
‘We have five full-backs – two on the right and three on the left,’ the German told reporters.
‘Nobody expected Xavi Espart to play at this level. Balde needs to bring out his best version. He is already doing that in training.
‘[I understand] that the player is not happy, because he wants to play and isn’t getting minutes. He was key over the last two years.
‘Things change. There’s a different dynamic now, and we have to manage it.
‘He is doing well, and I am happy with him.
‘It’s not an easy situation, it’s a competition for a position.’
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