Alejandro Balde made his Barcelona debut under Ronald Koeman last season. The left-back played six games under the Dutchman. Successor Xavi Hernandez only let Balde play once, on the penultimate, already meaningless matchday against Getafe.
Jordi Alba (33) will be on the left in the new season as well. Balde would like to provide backup for the 2012 European champions, but Xavi has other plans. The Barça coach hopes to sign experienced Marcos Alonso (31, contract until 2023) from Chelsea.
Should the Spanish international be signed, Alejandro Balde is aiming for a change of scenery. According to Mundo Deportivo, the homegrown player has already informed the club that he is targeting a departure should he not play a role in the first team.
Chelsea try third attempt at Alex Bale
Chelsea are interested in the young full-back. According to MD, the Londoners wanted to sign Balde as early as 2020. Also in the summer of 2021, the Blues knocked on the door of the talented left foot. However, Barca refused to sell.
Now the Londoners are apparently starting a new attempt. Chelsea have contacted Barça about Balde and have already had talks with his agent Jorge Mendes. Balde still has a two-year contract with a release clause of 500 million euros.
Balde has been at Barça for ten years
Eleven years ago, Balde moved to Barça from the youth department of neighboring city Espanyol. Last July he signed his first professional contract.
