Arsenal and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Spanish defensive sensation Alejandro Balde from Barcelona.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Alejandro Balde has emerged on the radars of Arsenal and Newcastle United. The Premier League clubs are monitoring the Barcelona defender’s situation closely. That is because the Blaugrana might not be able to register the youngster’s new contract.
Alejandro Balde is one of several prodigious prospects to be a part of Xavi Hernandez’s youth revolution at Spotify Camp Nou. Previous generations of La Masia graduates chose to leave Barcelona after graduating from the academy. But the current Barcelona manager has integrated several youngsters, including Balde, into the first-team squad.
The 19-year-old has featured the most prominently among Barcelona’s three left-backs this season. Balde has turned out 19 times thus far in 2022/23, chipping in with three assists. And he might soon sign a new contract with Barcelona. But the Catalan outfit’s financial woes have led to Arsenal and Newcastle United tracking the situation.
Arsenal will not need to bring in a left-back a year after signing Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian international took little time to adjust to the demands of his new club. And fitness issues notwithstanding, Zinchenko has been the first-choice left-back for Arsenal. In addition, Kieran Tierney is a dependable full-back.
So it is unclear how Balde might fit in the scheme of things at Arsenal. Nonetheless, the north Londoners have shown interest in several left-backs, including Balde. But Arsenal will have to fend off stiff competition from Newcastle United to sign the Barcelona defensive sensation.
Unlike Arsenal, Newcastle United can do with a new left-back amid Matt Targett’s struggles. While the Magpies permanently signed the 27-year-old in the summer, he has fallen down the pecking order. They have thus shown interest in several left-backs, including Ferland Mendy. And Balde has also emerged as a viable target.
Barcelona might not be able to register Balde due to Financial Fair Play rules. And unless they move some parts, clubs like Arsenal and Newcastle United can swoop in to sign the 19-year-old. So it will be interesting to see if the Catalan giants will succeed in keeping the Spanish international amid their intention to hand him a long-term contract.
