Headline: Alejandro Balde Trains with Barcelona Squad Amid Transfer Speculation
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde participated in training with the team, just days before the transfer window closes. Balde was notably absent from the matchday squad or played limited minutes against Elche, raising questions about his future.
The current situation remains unclear as Hansi Flick is due to discuss matters with Balde, while Barcelona’s management continues to explore potential departures ahead of the deadline. The training session on Monday indicated that Balde is not sidelined, which is significant, especially as Manchester United is reportedly keeping an eye on him.
Balde Returns to Group Training After Elche Win
The decision to exclude Balde from the Elche matchday squad surprised many fans. Following the match, Flick explained that the matter regarding Balde’s absence was linked to his health and performance rather than an instruction for him to find a new club.
“I spoke with Alejandro Balde this morning. I told him he’s not at 100%, that it’s best for him to stay home, and that we’ll talk later,” the Barcelona manager stated. This conversation is critical as the club navigates any potential transfer involving the left-back.
For now, Balde returned to practice on Monday with players who also had limited playing time against Elche, showing he wants to remain at Barcelona despite ongoing speculation. He will only consider leaving if the club directly communicates that he is not part of their plans.
As for his options, Balde faces interest from Manchester United, yet he does not seem keen on moving away from Barcelona.
Casado and Hector Fort Remain Separate
The distinction between Balde’s situation and that of teammates Marc Casado and Hector Fort is especially notable. Both Casado and Fort are currently training separately as they ponder their futures, being among the players who could leave Barcelona before the transfer window closes. In contrast, Balde continues to train with the main group, though this does not guarantee his future at the club.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde trained normally with the group less than a week before the transfer window closes.
Balde was among the players who either did not feature or played limited minutes against Elche, which was quite notable given the uncertainty surrounding his future.
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Right now, the situation is far from resolved, as Hansi Flick is expected to speak with him, while, in the background, Barcelona’s sporting management is working on several possible departures before the deadline.
But Monday’s training session portrayed that Balde is not being treated like a player who has been pushed out of the squad, which is a keen detail, especially at a time when Manchester United are monitoring his situation.
Balde returns to group training after Elche win
The decision to leave Balde out of the Elche matchday squad was one of the more surprising elements of Barcelona’s opening weekend.
Alejandro Balde has trained with the group. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
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After the game, Flick explained that the matter was connected to the defender’s situation and his current condition rather than confirming that he had been told to find a new club.
“I spoke with Alejandro Balde this morning. I told him he’s not at 100%, that it’s best for him to stay home, and that we’ll talk later,” the Barcelona manager said.
That conversation is now central to any potential Barcelona transfer concerning the left-back.
For now, though, Balde trained normally on Monday while awaiting further clarity. He joined the main group, working alongside players who had not played or had received limited minutes against Elche.
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As far as the defender is concerned, he wants to stay at Barcelona and would only consider a departure if the club directly informed him that he was no longer part of their plans.
Balde did not play against Elche. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
That puts the next discussion with Flick in the spotlight. Balde has options elsewhere, including interest from Manchester United, but the defender does not appear to be looking for an exit.
Casado and Hector Fort remain separate
The difference between Balde’s situation and that of Marc Casado and Hector Fort is particularly telling.
According to the report, Casado and Fort remain training separately as their futures continue to be discussed, as both players are among those who could leave Barcelona before the end of the transfer window.
Balde, however, has continued to work with the wider group.
Notably, though, it is quite important to understand that this does not guarantee that the left-back will remain at the club.
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