According to Mundo Deportivo, Balde had previously hoped to remain at Barcelona, but with Man United entering the race, the left-back has begun to reconsider his future. This uncertainty has been compounded by João Cancelo's return to the squad, which could reduce Balde's role in Hansi Flick's tactical system and increase the likelihood of his departure.
Should Barcelona receive a satisfactory offer and secure the player’s agreement, the club is preparing three options to address his departure.
The first option is to sign a new left-back to replace Balde. This represents the most straightforward solution, particularly given Flick’s apparent preference for deploying Cancelo on the left flank. However, with limited time remaining in the transfer window, identifying a suitable candidate will prove challenging. Additionally, signing a starting full-back from a rival club would likely require a substantial transfer fee, conflicting with Barcelona’s current financial constraints.
The second option involves repositioning Martín at left-back while using the proceeds from Balde’s sale to reinforce the centre-back position. This approach aligns with Barcelona’s recent transfer philosophy, and Deco is actively evaluating several centre-back targets with the aim of strengthening the defensive line.
The advantage of this scenario lies in Martín’s positional versatility. However, Flick was highly satisfied with his performances at center-back last season and has stressed that any new defensive signings must possess the quality needed to genuinely elevate the team’s defensive standards.
The third option is to promote young prospect Jordi Escobar. The 17-year-old has caught the coaching staff’s attention during pre-season training and matches and could develop into a long-term left-back rotation option, reflecting Flick’s commitment to youth development.
This option, however, carries the greatest risk. If Cancelo sustains an injury, Escobar may be thrust into a role beyond his experience level. On the other hand, this approach demonstrates Flick's confidence in Barcelona's academy and his willingness to integrate promising young talent into the first team.
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