Barcelona identify 23-year-old star as leading candidate for January sale to fund defensive signing

Barcelona identify 23-year-old star as leading candidate for January sale to fund defensive signing Barcelona are preparing to strengthen their defence in January, with the club currently struggling with the number of players out injured. The back line was already the Catalan club’s weakest area, and Barça ‘s decision not to strengthen it in the summer has come back to haunt them. Now, the club look keen to address this in January, but their financial situation could force them into a difficult decision. Hansi Flick wants to add another centre-back to his squad, and Barcelona will, in all likelihood, have to make a sale to fund the signing. According to MARCA , Alejandro Balde has emerged as the leading candidate to leave the club in January. The 23-year-old has struggled to convince Hansi Flick this season and has not started a single game under the German manager. Barcelona need a sale before making a January signing Flick and sporting director Deco are interested in adding another central defender following the start of the season. However, the club only want to sign someone capable of genuinely improving the team and do not want to add a player for the sake of it. “We are always looking for what is best for the team. If we can do something, perhaps we will,” Flick explained recently. Balde is unable to get a minute at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) The financial obstacle remains substantial. Barcelona may need to make financial room before pursuing a marquee player. Selling someone like Balde for a decent fee could allow the Catalan club to put the money to good use in a couple of months’ time. Balde’s Barcelona career seems over Balde has gone from an undisputed starter at Barcelona to a player who is simply unable to get a start. Against Deportivo Alaves last night, Hansi Flick chose to put Brian Farinas in the XI ahead of him and only gave Balde around 30 minutes in the second half. With Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart established at left-back, it is highly unlikely that Balde will get minutes once everyone is fit. Hansi Flick has repeatedly insisted that he is not happy with what the Spaniard is showing in training and that he lacks the confidence to play in his system. Where does Alejandro Balde go from here? (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) However, Balde remains reluctant to leave Barcelona. He rejected the possibility during the summer and continues to believe he can regain Flick’s confidence. For the club, selling an academy graduate would be a major call. Once touted for stardom, Balde’s career seems to be going nowhere. The challenge is ensuring Barcelona do not make a rash decision on Balde, considering he is just 23 and has his entire career ahead of him. However, if a sacrifice has to be made in January, Balde looks like the most likely name on the chopping block, and it remains to be seen how the Spaniard’s future pans out.