Aston Villa are plotting a bold move ahead of the summer transfer window, with Barcelona left back Alejandro Balde firmly on their radar as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
Balde has developed steadily since coming through the ranks at Barcelona, and the Spaniard’s growth is said to be drawing attention from Europe’s top five leagues, especially in England, where top clubs like Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United are weighing up the possibility of a transfer.
According to TNT Sports, Aston Villa have approached Barcelona to make enquiries about the Spanish defender’s availability in the coming transfer window.
The Villans are in search of an upgrade down that left-hand side of defence as Ian Maatsen has struggled to deliver consistent performances this season, while, despite Lucas Digne’s experience, there has been a noticeable lack of the dynamism required in Unai Emery’s aggressive system.
Despite growing interest from England, though, Balde’s situation at Barcelona seriously complicates matters for his potential suitors.
The 22-year-old is tied to the Spotify Camp Nou until 2028 and is said to have no immediate desire to leave, as he focuses on continuing his development in Catalonia, where he has strong emotional ties.
This puts Barcelona in a strong negotiating position if any of the interested clubs decide to firm up their interest in Balde with a formal approach for his signature.
For now, though, there are no official offers on the table as suitors across the continent continue to monitor the Spaniard’s situation closely.
As things stand, Aston Villa have plenty of convincing to do if they’re to successfully lure Balde to Villa Park this summer.
Even if they manage to convince Barcelona to do a deal, getting the player on board will definitely be a challenging task for the Premier League club.
