Super-agent Jorge Mendes held talks on Thursday over potentially selling a Barcelona player to Manchester United, it has been reported – while a team-mate could also leave.
United have focused most of their summer dealings on the midfield area, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans signed from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively for a combined fee of £130 million.
They are also reportedly close to sealing a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, though had an initial bid of £60 million rejected on Thursday.
United are still in the market for a left-back and, according to Ben Jacobs, have been offered the services of RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas.
Both players have been on the club’s radar throughout the summer, but it was reported on Thursday that United had also made contact with the representatives of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde.
Balde is Barcelona’s first-choice left-back when fit, having began last season in competition with fellow La Masia academy product Gerard Martin before the latter was shifted into centre-back by manager Hansi Flick.
The 22-year-old’s recent injury history – he has suffered three separate hamstring injuries since April 2025 – will no doubt be of concern to United, but Balde would bring proven European experience to Old Trafford as United prepare to return to the Champions League this season.
Barcelona star ‘brought up’ during Man Utd transfer talks
Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that Michael Carrick’s side had spoken to Mendes, who is Balde’s agent, about the prospect of a move.
As it happened, the Portuguese super-agent – who has long represented Cristiano Ronaldo – was in Barcelona on Thursday to hold talks with the reigning La Liga champions about various players.
That’s according to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), who report that Mendes was discussing the potential departure of Arsenal and Newcastle-linked Marc Casado in the summer transfer window.
But it is also noted that Balde’s name was brought up ‘in connection with a possible move to Manchester United’.
United would have to negotiate directly with Barcelona to sign the left-back, who was not part of Spain’s World Cup squad, because his release clause stands at €1 billion.
Romano claims that Balde does not want to leave Barcelona ‘in principle’ but would accept a departure if Barca tell him he can leave.
“Barcelona and Balde share a great relationship,” Romano said on his YouTube channel. “Balde is a Barca boy.
“Balde, in principle, doesn’t want to leave Barcelona. Balde would only go if it’s Barcelona telling Balde, okay, you can go, we can sell you.”
Another factor that could play into United’s favour is that, during an interview with Mundo Deportivo in 2022, Balde was asked to name his favourite club other than Barcelona. The Spaniard opted for Manchester United.