Barcelona left back Balde on contract renewal talks: "We are very close"

Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde is confident of completing his contract renewal soon. The defender spoke to reporters after the first team's Monday training session at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and assured that "there have been talks and we are very close. It is a matter that I leave in the hands of my agent and the club. I hope it will be solved soon. Now I'm focused on the tour and coming back from my injury."

Balde confirmed that he was one of those affected by the outbreak of gastroenteritis that hit the team at the weekend and forced the suspension of the match against Juventus. He explained, "I'm feeling much better and the team is fine now. It was a pity for the fans who couldn't see the game. Now we are focused on the next game."

Regarding the next game against Arsenal this Thursday morning Spanish time, the Barça defender commented that "it will be a good game, a Barça-Arsenal game is a Champions League game. We're looking forward to getting started."

Balde was restrained when asked if he will be the master of the left flank this season. "I don't know. I'm focused on doing the same as last season, with the same enthusiasm and the same desire. The aim is to keep learning. I'm young and nothing is guaranteed at Barça," he said.

SIGNINGS

The Blaugrana full-back highlighted that with Ilkay Gündogan, Iñigo Martínez and Oriol Romeu "the club have made good signings. They are experienced players." And he added that "the Champions League is a pending task. We have to try to do good things in Europe."

Asked about the news of the day, the alleged contacts between Barça and PSG for Mbappé, Balde limited himself to saying that "it's not up to me. He's a world-class player, but I don't know anything about his future."