According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona's situation ahead of the winter transfer window is drawing attention, with left-back Balde receiving very limited playing time this season, which could make January a critical moment for him to reconsider his future.

Barcelona completed signings of Hamza, Gordon, Bissouma, Adeyemi, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, and Livaković in the last transfer window, while Rashford, R. Araujo, Fort, Ferran, Lewandowski, and Casadó, among others, departed. Under Flick, the team has an oversized squad, and the situation of certain players is uncertain, depending largely on the playing time opportunities Flick will afford them in the coming months. Balde's severely limited playing time makes him one of the players who could reconsider his future, but he is not alone.

After the transfer window closed, Balde's agent, Jorge Mendes, briefly answered journalists' questions following a dinner with Joan Laporta, stating: "Balde will be fine in the future, don't worry." At that time, he was being questioned about the left-back's situation, as Balde had not yet played in Flick's opening matches of the season.

Balde was a regular starter at left-back until last season, but Cancelo overtook him in the second half of last season, and Esparto is ahead of him this season. Flick's position on him has been very clear, both at the start of this season and at the end of last season.

The German coach noticed stagnation in Balde's performances both in matches and training, and hoped the player would compete with other left-backs in the squad to raise the team's level. But in reality, he is currently third choice at left-back. Flick primarily uses Esparto, and in recent matches, Cancelo. Of the eight matches played so far this season, Balde has played just 12 minutes under Flick—in the closing moments of Barcelona's 7-2 La Liga victory over Racing Santander. He participated in the 2022 World Cup and was a regular player for the Spanish national team until 2023.

This situation of neglect could lead the player to consider a change of scenery, something he had previously opposed. Since pre-season, Balde—who has more than one year remaining on his contract—has been listed alongside Ter Stegen (loaned to Ajax), R. Araujo (loaned to Liverpool), M. Casadó (loaned to Deportivo), Barghji (serious injury that could derail a transfer), and Koundé (attracting Premier League interest) as players with uncertain futures.

Regarding departures of first-team players, outgoings have not met the most optimistic plans, contrasting with the large number of youth players departing or returning from loan, resulting in the freed-up "financial fair play" space not reaching the ideal maximum. Balde was unwilling to consider leaving despite strong interest from Manchester United. If Flick does not increase his playing time, the next winter transfer window could be the moment for Balde to change his outlook on his future. Manchester United remains interested, and Jorge Mendes has made clear: "he will be fine in the future." Balde is not the only player who could find a departure attractive.

Traduit par IA.

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