Alejandro Balde left out of Barcelona squad amid transfer rumors
Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde has been omitted from the squad for the La Liga opener against Elche, fueling speculation about his exit.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Diliff
Barcelona are preparing for their opening La Liga match of the new season away to Elche. Ahead of the game, the club released their official squad list, and the absence of full-back Alejandro Balde was immediately noticeable.
This exclusion effectively signals the end of the 22-year-old's time at Barcelona. Balde is now expected to decide on his next career move, with three primary options currently on the table: Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Benfica.
The situation varies for each suitor. Benfica are considered to have a weaker position, reportedly offering 20 million euros for a player who still has two years left on his current contract. Aston Villa are interested but would need to generate funds through player sales to finalize a deal. Meanwhile, Manchester United have expressed interest, though there has been no concrete action from the English side yet.
Last season, Balde made 42 appearances for the Catalan side, contributing three assists.