According to Marca, Barcelona will pursue a young defender with potential if a current player leaves, with Balde likely to be the one departing.
With less than three days remaining in the transfer window, Barcelona is still finalizing its squad for the season. The club has several unresolved matters, including the acquisition of a center-back. Sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick continue to discuss options, and the club is actively exploring the market, but no final decision has been made.
The delay is partly because Barcelona is waiting for a defender to leave in the coming hours; additionally, Álvaro Cortés has already moved to Antwerp. Balde is also seeking a new club, as he currently finds himself behind João Cancelo and Xavi Espart in the left-back hierarchy. Aware that limited playing time awaits him if he stays, he is actively exploring alternatives, though nothing has materialized yet. If the full-back departs, the club will sign a center-back.
Center-backs returning to defense
If no defender leaves, the question becomes what Barcelona will do. Flick believes the team has many center-backs, though some have been repositioned, including Jules Koundé and Éric García. Both are currently playing right-back but began their careers as center-backs. The French defender has already featured at center-back during the opening matches.
Confidence in existing players
Beyond these two, Barcelona also has Cubarsí, Christensen, and Gerard Martín. If Balde leaves and the club signs another center-back, Gerard Martín could cover left-back if needed, though the current setup with Cancelo and Espart on the flank is considered adequate. Flick is aware that Gerard Martín's preferred position remains center-back.
No marquee signings
The sporting management has decided against making another major signing. Earlier in the summer, the club had already ruled out signing Alessandro Bastoni, a deal that would have cost between 60 and 70 million euros. The club is now looking for a different profile. They want to sign a young player with future potential rather than an established star.
A different approach
Barcelona's strategy is to sign a player similar to Hamza Abdulkareem or Jesse Bissouma. Both have progressed through the academy system and are among the first-team options, as demonstrated during preseason. If a center-back is brought in, it will follow the same philosophy, as Flick recognizes that the team's core players are already in place. Sporting management continues to evaluate candidates, though this is not considered a priority signing.
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