Barcelona may have to sell Alejandro Balde in January to make room for Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, The Sun say.
Barca were linked with Martinez last week, and Hansi Flick is short of bodies at the back. Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Xavi Espart have all been injured. Flick was asked about reinforcements on Friday and gave nothing away. “If we can do something, maybe we will,” he said.
LaLiga’s financial rules mean Barca would have to shift someone before signing anybody, and Balde looks the likeliest to go. He’s made three league appearances this season and hasn’t started a single game in any competition. In Saturday’s 6-1 win over Alaves, Flick gave academy midfielder Brian Farinas his senior debut at full-back instead of him.
Balde is 23, with 172 senior appearances, 21 assists, three LaLiga titles and a Copa del Rey. He was linked with United in the summer but wanted to stay and fight for his place. He missed out on Spain’s World Cup squad, though he’s won seven caps.
Martinez, 28, has had a rough season at Old Trafford. He was fined by the club after criticising the board following a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid last month. On Sunday he was sent off in a 2-0 loss at Chelsea, and Michael Carrick blanked him as he walked off. Peter Schmeichel called the performance “an absolute disgrace” and said Martinez seemed to be trying to “orchestrate a move”.
His contract runs out at the end of the season, although United have an option to extend it by 12 months.
Left-back has been a problem position for United for a while. Luke Shaw’s injuries have forced Diogo Dalot to fill in out of position.
Footiebuzz View
United can’t get precious about Martinez. Sent off, fined, slated by Schmeichel and blanked by Carrick on the way down the tunnel. That’s not a player who looks settled.
The bigger story for me is Balde. He’s 23, he’s got 21 assists and Barca won’t even start him. United have been patching up left-back for ages. If he really is available in January, you ask the question again.