Man Utd have a €45m answer to Carrick’s biggest problem

Man Utd have found the perfect transfer opportunity – €45m Barcelona star Make us your Google favourite Manchester United ’s patient approach in the transfer window could be about to pay off as they close in on a potential deal for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde . After the defender was left out of Barca’s 5-0 win over Elche on Sunday, speculation is rampant that he could be on his way out of Camp Nou – with Man Utd the leading option ahead of Benfica and Aston Villa to sign the 22-year-old. The Old Trafford club have been waiting for an opportunity like this in the transfer window. Balde is a player who can elevate Michael Carrick’s squad while offering a dynamic and exciting playing style in a position they need - and all at a very attractive price. Flick hints at Balde’s Barcelona exit Balde was a high-profile absentee from Hansi Flick’s Barcelona squad at the weekend, and after the match the German hinted that the player could be on his way out of the club. “I'm not asking him to leave. I sensed something was up. I spoke with him, and I told him I felt it was best for him to clarify his position and talk tomorrow. He has a lot on his mind,” Flick said when explaining the player’s absence . insider has fuelled the suggestion that the player could be on his way . “What’s the reality? At the moment, Barcelona are open to selling Balde in case of a good proposal. But Balde, I can tell you once again, is not pushing to leave Barcelona. “Manchester United are in a conversation and are a possibility, but it depends on the conditions, not only on the transfer fee, but also on the salary, because Balde is on a big salary at Barcelona and that's going to be a point.” Sport , meanwhile, says that the defender has told agent Jorge Mendes to find him a new club. If United can overcome their misgivings about the player’s wages to complete a deal, they would be adding a very potent attacking threat to Michael Carrick’s squad. During Saturday’s 2-0 loss against Hull, the left flank was a crucial outlet for United’s attacking play, with Shaw finishing the game with 89 touches – fourth most of anyone on the park – but he finished last season with just one assist despite playing every Premier League match, showing his limitation as an attacking force. This has never been a particular strength of the former Southampton man. His best season for assists across all competition was 2022/23, when he delivered seven across 47 matches in all competitions. Balde, by contrast, has already eclipsed that figure with eight in 2024/25. The swashbuckling style of the Spaniard is underscored when looking at his directness in possession, and most specifically his overlapping runs and carries, which far eclipse the Premier League average. He is a more aggressive ball-carrying and overlapping presence, capable of providing danger in the final third himself or, just as important, creating space for others to do likewise. Balde has ‘best in the world’ potential Beyond his attacking capabilities, Balde also has tremendous potential to improve, according to data analytics firm SciSports. Indeed, he has a higher potential ceiling than any left-back in the world – including United’s dream target, Newcastle’s Lewis Hall. Based on a calculation generated by hundreds of in-game data points, Balde’s potential peak SciSkill score in 138.2 – far above Hall’s 127.1. To add some context to that figure, Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori is currently rated as the game’s best left-back on 115.2. Balde’s current score of 111.9, meanwhile, is well in advance of Shaw’s 102.2, indicating that he would provide the type of instant upgrade Carrick’s side crave. Best potential left-backs in the world (SciSports) RankNameClubPotential SciSkill1Alejandro BaldeBarcelona138.22Nico O'ReillyMan City134.23Jorrel HatoChelsea129.84Milos KerkezLiverpool129.25Josko GvardiolMan City127.56Lewis HallNewcastle127.1 Barcelona have set a bargain price Balde’s price, meanwhile, looks palatable. Barcelona have put a €40-45 million tag on the player, per Sport, which is firmly within a range that United have shown themselves to be comfortable with. Moreover, Balde’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €48m – so United would be signing him at a figure cheaper than his worth. Balde is a player for both the present and the future, who can solve an immediate problem while providing Carrick with one of the best left-backs in Europe – and potentially the very be