Alejandro Balde sends transfer message to Man Utd ahead of transfer window | Football

Alejandro Balde is prioritising a move to the Premier League amid transfer interest from Manchester United, according to reports.

Balde joined Barcelona at the age of just eight and has gone on to make a total of 172 appearances in all competitions for the club.

However, the left-back has fallen down the pecking order under Hansi Flick and is yet to start a match so far this season.

Balde did play 60 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid last month after Xavi Espart’s injury, but Joao Cancelo has been preferred in the two following matches.

That lack of game time has the 23-year-old considering his options ahead of the January transfer window as he seeks to get back to playing regular football.

Barcelona are said to value Balde at €40million (£33m) and are reportedly prioritising a permanent sale, but a loan deal with an option to buy could also be considered.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is already sounding out interest from clubs around Europe ahead of the January window.

And it is said that Balde’s preference is a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool, Aston Villa and United among the clubs interested.

Italian clubs Roma and Juventus have reportedly met with Mendes to enquire about a move for Balde, but the player’s salary demands could prove an obstacle.

United had been actively looking to strengthen at left-back in the summer to provide support and competition for Luke Shaw, and were linked with a move to Balde in the closing weeks of the summer window.

Michael Carrick’s side are expected to resume that search in the New Year, particularly given Luke Shaw’s injury, which has seen Diogo Dalot forced to play at left-back.

Last month, Carrick said the club would look to strengthen in the January transfer window, telling Sky Sports: When the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it.

‘Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don’t quite know. But without doubt, there’s opportunity because the transfer window is open.

‘So we’ll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like.’

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