{"id":75117,"date":"2026-08-24T16:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/75117\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T16:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T16:04:11","slug":"man-united-want-a-loan-to-buy-deal-for-barcelona-defender-catalans-prefer-e30-40m-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/75117\/","title":{"rendered":"Man United want a loan-to-buy deal for Barcelona defender; Catalans prefer \u20ac30-40m sale"},"content":{"rendered":"

As has become clear over the past few days, Manchester United are closely monitoring Alejandro Balde\u2019s situation<\/a> at FC Barcelona as they consider a move for the left-back before the transfer window closes, <\/p>\n

However, according to ESPN<\/a>, the two clubs currently have different ideas about the structure of a potential deal involving the La Masia graduate.<\/p>\n

Manchester United seek a loan deal <\/p>\n

Indeed, as per the report, Manchester United would prefer to bring Balde in on loan, with an option for a purchase, similar to the agreement that the two clubs had for Marcus Rashford last year. <\/p>\n

However, Barcelona are more interested in a permanent transfer. <\/p>\n

The Catalans are looking to generate between \u20ac30 million and \u20ac40 million from the academy graduate\u2019s sale, with the intention of reinvesting part of that money in another defender.<\/p>\n

\"AlejandroWhat does the future hold for Balde? (Photo by Daniela Porcelli\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Flick questions Balde\u2019s future <\/p>\n

Hansi Flick left Balde out of the squad for Barcelona\u2019s La Liga opener against Elche, a 0-5 victory, because the coach felt the player was distracted by the uncertainty surrounding his future.<\/p>\n

Flick subsequently indicated that he planned to speak with the left-back directly to understand his intentions and determine whether Balde remains fully committed to competing for his place at Barcelona.<\/p>\n

The situation has therefore changed considerably in recent months. Barcelona are now actively considering a sale, while Manchester United would currently only be interested in a loan with an option to buy.<\/p>\n

Jorge Mendes, Balde\u2019s agent, remains in contact with the different parties as he attempts to find a solution.<\/p>\n

Balde has slipped down the pecking order<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old has gradually lost prominence at Barcelona. He did not play much during the final stretch of last season because of Joao Cancelo\u2019s presence, who has returned permanently this summer.<\/p>\n

\"AlejandroSlipping down in Flick\u2019s pecking order at left-back. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The situation has become even more complicated this season with Flick showing confidence in Xavi Espart at left-back against Elche.<\/p>\n

That competition has made Balde\u2019s position increasingly uncertain.<\/p>\n

Manchester United are looking for another left-back and had already shown interest in Lewis Hall of Newcastle earlier in the summer.<\/p>\n

The Red Devils remain keen to strengthen the position because of doubts over Luke Shaw\u2019s ability to cope with the demands of playing three matches a week across the Premier League and Champions League.<\/p>\n

For now, the key difference remains clear: Manchester United are thinking about a loan, while Barcelona want a sale worth \u20ac30-40 million. Mendes will have to find common ground if Balde is to leave Camp Nou before the window closes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As has become clear over the past few days, Manchester United are closely monitoring Alejandro Balde\u2019s situation at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":75118,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[933,92,222,223,263],"class_list":["post-75117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-barcelona","tag-alejandro-balde","tag-barcelona","tag-barcelona-news","tag-fc-barcelona","tag-manchester-united"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75117"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75117\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}