FC Barcelona Star Receives Manchester City Offer: Reports

An FC Barcelona first team star has received an offer from Premier League giants Manchester City according to Mundo Deportivo.

A product of La Masia, Alejandro Balde broke through to the starting XI in 2020 thanks to former head coach Ronald Koeman.

Last season, however, it was on the watch of current manager Xavi Hernandez that the 19-year-old truly nailed his place down at left back to the expense of now departed club legend Jordi Alba.

As part of the best defense in Europe alongside Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde, Spain international Balde played a pivotal role in the Blaugrana claiming their first La Liga title in four years.

Much like Araujo, and also fellow academy graduate Gavi, Balde hasn’t always had his future at Camp Nou clear.

While Gavi and Araujo agreed new deals but there were issues registering their contracts because of Financial Fair Play hurdles, Barca’s economic woes have contributed to not nailing Balde down long-term.

Represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, Balde is a free agent in 2024 which is well-known to a string of top European clubs.

Balde has been strongly linked to Chelsea in the past. But at the turn of the week, Mundo Deportivo reports that reigning Premier League and Champions League kings Manchester City made a solid offer to Balde’s camp.

According to the Catalan paper, the Abu Dhabi-backed giants tabled a proposal to Balde that was far higher than the current _____ he earns according to ____.

Again with echoes of Gavi and Araujo, however, who likewise had heavyweight outfits lining up to snatch them away with lucrative packages, Balde has no interest of switching allegiances.

Rejecting the chance to move to City, he would rather earn less yet play at Barca for Xavi who admires the youngster for his mental strength.

Balde has reportedly never considered leaving the club he has been with since _ years of age, and even less so now that the left back position is all his because of Alba’s expected departure to join Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.

As things stand, Balde looks certain to extend until at least 2027 and perhaps even 2028.

At present, he takes home a reserve team like salary to fit in with Financial Fair Play, but his earnings are set to increase considerably when Barca have their house in order and can allow him to put pen to paper.

With Barca’s activity in the transfer market pretty much done in terms of bringing in fresh faces – unless there is a major, unexpected cash influx – it is wise for the club to focus on the renewals and extensions of existing stars by offloading those that are surplus to requirements and freeing up space on the pay roll wherever they can.