Man Utd transfer tactic pays off after Michael Carrick sends message to INEOS
Manchester United’s enquiry about Barcelona star Alejandro Balde may pay off before the summer transfer window slams shut following an update from Fabrizio Romano.
Despite being a regular at Barcelona for several years now, the 22-year-old faces an uncertain future at the defending La Liga champions.
Indeed, while Hansi Flick sung the praises of the Spain international, he kept the door open for the left-back to move on this summer.
He told reporters on Saturday, “It’s a difficult question because he’s [Balde] a player of immense quality, and it’s important to know if he’s confident he can compete in his position.
“That’s what I want to see from all my players. Every day I observe what they do, their level, whether they demonstrate that they’re at the level to play.
“Ultimately, we have to play as a team; only then will we achieve success. I need everyone to be one hundred percent.”
READ: Man Utd: INEOS ‘prepare’ new Lewis Hall move amid world-record Newcastle demands
The German said this after Barcelona secured the services of experienced Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo, and on Sunday, the Spanish team made it clear how they feel about Balde.
He, Marc Casado and Hector Fort were all left out of the matchday squad for their Liga opener against Elche on Sunday night, suggesting transfer exits are on the cards.
Meanwhile in Manchester, manager Michael Carrick made it very clear what he wants from minority owners INEOS before the window closes late on 1 September.
“We [Man Utd] want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that,” he said this week. “Money’s money, I get that. We feel like we have to be pushing for everything we’re involved in, while being realistic of what the recent history’s looked like over a period of time.
“For now, we’ve got to make the most of it, but we’ve got to push every boundary we can to be able to win again, basically. That’s the challenge.”
READ MORE: Man Utd: Carrick blasted for ‘total lack of philosophy’ as revival ‘unravels’
Balde feels Barcelona are ‘pushing him out’
With Man Utd growing restless over Newcastle United’s £70m price tag of left-back Lewis Hall, the Red Devils have mulled over the signing of Balde instead.
According to Romano, Balde’s agents were contacted by Man Utd this week but he himself is not pushing for a move.
The Spaniard wants to stay and fight for his place but it seems Barcelona are not making him feel particularly wanted right now.
He said on his YouTube channel on Sunday, “If you ask me, is Balde 100% leaving? It’s still not 100% guaranteed because Balde is happy at Barcelona. Balde would like to stay, compete for a place; Balde is not asking to go.
“Balde feels Barcelona are trying to find a solution for him, which is different from the story saying Balde is pushing to leave Barcelona. He has not.
“He has a feeling the club is pushing him out. At the same time, Manchester United called to understand the situation but at the moment it depends on the price and it’s still not guaranteed in terms of pricing.”
Balde is reportedly valued at around €50m (£43m), which would be a much cheaper option than Hall. But it still seems there is a way to go on this one before he would move to Man Utd.
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