Just in: Manchester United call super-agent to enquire about Barcelona defender – Romano

Just in: Manchester United call super-agent to enquire about Barcelona defender – Romano In a key development, Fabrizio Romano reports that Manchester United have called super-agent Jorge Mendes to enquire about the situation of FC Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde. The Red Devils are in the market for a new left-back and have identified several players as potential recruits, including Newcastle United of Lewis Hall. However, with the Magpies closing the door on the Englishman, the Premier League club turned their focus to alternatives. Balde on Manchester United’s agenda As such, Manchester United have decided to call up Mendes to learn about Balde’s situation and the conditions for a potential transfer for the La Masia graduate. This comes even as the Portuguese super-agent arrived in Barcelona today to discuss several matters, including the future of Marc Casado , who is on his way out of the Spotify Camp Nou. Balde is on Man United’s radar. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images) Given the approach from Manchester United, it is likely that Mendes will discuss the same with Barça during his meeting with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. Balde does not want to leave However, as per Romano, as far as Balde is concerned, he has no intention of leaving Barcelona this summer. The La Masia graduate is happy at his boyhood club even though he will face intense competition at left-back now that Joao Cancelo has been signed permanently by the La Liga champions. As such, the 22-year-old defender has no thoughts of leaving the Blaugrana at this point and will only reconsider his stance if the club themselves ask him to leave. Balde does not want to leave. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) For now, it remains a developing situation and only time will tell how things evolve in the coming days, with less than two weeks left before the transfer window closes. Not an ideal pre-season Balde did not have the best of pre-season as a back issue kept him out of action in the early parts of the summer. However, having recovered from the issue, he has been gaining minutes, starting in the friendly match against FC Basel and Al-Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy last night. Under contract with the Catalan giants until 2028, Balde is expected to start against Elche this weekend, considering that Cancelo has only arrived this week.