Manchester United are searching for a new left-back this summer, but have received a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona star Alejandro Balde.
United reportedly held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes regarding a deal for Balde as they search for support for Luke Shaw, with concerns about the Englishman’s ability to cover four competitions after Tyrell Malacia’s departure.
However, Balde is now set to stay at FC Barcelona, according to Fabrizio Romano, who revealed on Wednesday: “Understand Alejandro Balde has informed Barcelona about his desire to STAY at the club and compete for a spot.
“His intention is clear; decision up to the club after exploring sale. Only a big proposal from a top club can change the scenario from now to deadline day.”
As such, the Red Devils will now be forced to move onto alternative options, of which there is no shortage, with journalist Ben Jacobs revealing they have been offered three left-backs.
Man Utd offered three left-backs as Balde alternatives
Speaking to Football FanCast about Man United’s left-back pursuit, Jacobs revealed there has been contacts with the representatives of three other options.
“Nothing has advanced. They’ve been offered Jorge Salinas and David Raum as options at left back.
“And then, of course, there’s the Myles Lewis-Skelly situation. Mikel Arteta has said he’s 100% sure Lewis-Skelly will stay.
“From Manchester United’s perspective, they were offered the player. They would now have to also decide, even though it feels quite a semantic point, if Lewis-Skelly is a midfielder that can play left-back, or is a left-back that can play midfielder. And if, as we’re seeing at Arsenal, the player’s preference is midfield, then Manchester United have already signed Carlos Baleba, and Lewis-Skelly may not be as open to moving to a club that potentially wants him as left-back first, given how effective he’s been for Arsenal in the centre of midfield.
“So that will be a consideration, but the challenge with Lewis-Skelly is that the player seemingly wants to stay at Arsenal anyway, and Manchester United’s valuation of Lewis-Skelly is lower than Arsenal’s, so the combination of those factors is why nothing has progressed.”
United fans, read the full interview with Ben Jacobs here!
Salinas is still only 19-years-old, and the 2026/27 campaign is his first in La Liga, which suggests he may not currently be ready to make a move to Old Trafford. However, the Spaniard’s performances for Racing de Santander in La Liga 2 offer cause for optimism, and he has a £13.7m release clause, meaning the youngster would be a low-cost addition to Michael Carrick‘s squad.
|
League performance |
Alejandro Balde |
Jorge Salinas |
|
Appearances |
28 |
33 |
|
Assists |
2 |
7 |
|
Tackles per 90 |
1.7 |
3.1 |
|
Interceptions per 90 |
0.2 |
1.1 |
|
Recoveries per 90 |
4.4 |
3.7 |
Lewis-Skelly is the same age, but he has experienced the demands of playing for a top club, with the teenager making 36 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season, en-route to the Gunners lifting the Premier League title.
RB Leipzig star Raum would be a different type of signing, considering he is 28-years-old, meaning he already has plenty of experience, with the left-back picking up a very impressive three goals and seven assists in 30 Bundesliga matches last season.
With Lewis-Skelly seemingly unattainable, given that Arteta has little interest in sanctioning a departure, it looks to be a choice of Raum’s experience or Salinas’ youthful exuberance if United want to strengthen the left-back department before next week’s deadline.
