According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona's squad situation ahead of the winter transfer window is attracting attention. Left-back Balde has had very limited playing time this season, and January could be a crucial turning point for him to reconsider his future.

Barcelona completed signings of Hamza, Gordon, Bissouma, Adeyemi, Rodri, Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, and Livakovic in the recent transfer window, while Rashford, R. Araujo, Fort, Ferran, Lewandowski, and Casado, among others, departed. Under Flick's management, the squad is quite large, and several players' situations remain uncertain, largely dependent on the playing opportunities Flick will provide in the coming months. Balde has minimal playing time and is among the players who may reconsider their future, though he is not alone.

After the transfer window closed, Balde's agent Jorge Mendes, while leaving after dinner with Joan Laporta, briefly answered journalists' questions: "Balde will be fine in the future, don't worry." At that moment, he was asked about the left-back's situation, as Balde had not featured in Barcelona's opening matches this season under Flick.

Balde was Barcelona's regular starting left-back until last season, but Cancelo surpassed him in the second half of last season, and Esparto is ahead of him this season. Flick's assessment of him is very clear, both at the start of this season and at the end of last season.

The German coach has noticed a decline in Balde's performance in matches and training, and wants the Barcelona-born defender to compete with other left-backs in the squad, hoping this competition will improve the team's level. However, he is currently the third-choice left-back. Flick has primarily used Esparto, and in recent matches, Cancelo. In eight matches played so far this season, Balde has only featured for 12 minutes under Flick—specifically in the closing stages of Barcelona's 7-2 victory over Racing Santander in LaLiga. He participated in the 2022 World Cup and was a regular for the Spanish national team until 2023.

This situation of being sidelined could prompt the player to consider a change of scenery, an idea he has previously rejected. Since the preseason began, Balde—whose contract runs until the end of this season plus one additional year—has been included on the list of players with uncertain futures, alongside Ter Stegen (loaned to Ajax), R. Araujo (loaned to Liverpool), M. Casado (loaned to Deportivo), Bardghji (serious injury that could derail a potential transfer), and Kounde (attracting interest from Premier League clubs).

For first-team departures, the number fell short of the most optimistic expectations, contrasting with the large number of academy players departing or returning from loan deals. Consequently, the Financial Fair Play space created has not reached optimal levels. Despite strong interest from Manchester United, Balde was reluctant to consider leaving. If Flick does not increase his playing time, the upcoming January transfer window could be the moment Balde changes his outlook on his future. Manchester United continues to monitor him closely, and Jorge Mendes has stated clearly: "he will be fine in the future." Balde is not the only player who might find leaving attractive.

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