Alejandro Balde has played just 12 minutes of competitive football for Barcelona this season, and those minutes came off the bench late in a 7-2 win over Racing Santander.

The 22-year-old Spain international, rated 18 months ago as one of Europe’s most promising left-backs, now sits behind Joao Cancelo, Xavi Espart and Gerard Martin in Hansi Flick’s pecking order. He has been excluded from Spain’s World Cup squad, and no talks have been held over an extension to a contract that runs until 2028.

That drift has pulled two of England’s biggest clubs into the picture. Liverpool and Manchester United have both been sounded out by intermediaries about a January loan, with Barcelona willing to let him leave temporarily and open to a permanent exit for around €40m.

Liverpool have the inside track

Liverpool entered the chase late, but according to TEAMtalk they may already be in front. The Anfield club built a working relationship with Barcelona through the summer loan of Ronald Araujo, a line of communication now seen as useful leverage against United, whose earlier approach stalled because they wanted a loan with an option to buy rather than the permanent deal Barcelona initially demanded.

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Head coach Andoni Iraola is short of options on the left. Milos Kerkez has not kicked on since joining from Bournemouth, Kostas Tsimikas is out of contract at the end of the season, and the position has been identified as one Liverpool want to reinforce in January.

United need cover for Shaw

Michael Carrick’s United are also hunting a left-back. Luke Shaw is their only recognized senior option in the role after Patrick Dorgu was repositioned further forward, and the club already held talks with Balde’s representatives over a summer move that collapsed.

A temporary deal would let either club test how Balde adapts to English football before deciding whether to commit permanently.

Barcelona ready to open the door

Barcelona have given Balde permission to explore a January move, with the asking price set at €40m for a permanent sale and a loan accepted as an alternative route out this winter.

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