Only in the last season, it seemed like FC Barcelona would not have to worry about their left flank for years to come. Alejandro Balde had a spectacular first season with the first team, and his performances made Barcelona rest easy in regard to this key area of the team.
However, this season, the youngster has left a lot to be desired with his performances, and is also currently out with a serious injury to his hamstring tendon of the right leg that is expected to keep him out of action for months to come.
Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso, the player who was supposed to be the cover for Balde is also injured, and Joao Cancelo is expected to replace the Spaniard on the left flank for now. Furthermore, the rise of Hector Fort in the last few weeks also makes it easy for Barcelona to forego a renewal for Marcos Alonso.
Thus, as things stand, Barcelona are not looking to sign a left-back in the coming summer window. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, these plans can change for the club if they receive a tempting offer for Alejandro Balde, who currently has a contract till 2028 with a release clause of €1 billion.
The youngster is very popular in the market because of the top-level performances he put in last season, and that too at a very young age of 20 years. If Balde himself accepts an offer from a club other than Barcelona, the Catalans will look to sign a more experienced defender from the market.
In this regard, the club has already discussed some of the names in its internal meetings, including that of the Las Palmas fullback, Sergi Cardona, who will be a free agent this summer. The option of promoting Alex Valle, who is currently on loan at Levante, is also on the table for the Catalans.
