Tying down Alejandro Balde a priority for Barca
The Catalans are keen to keep the young Spanish left back whose deal expires in 2024
Barcelona youth players are the big plus from this season. The club have managed to get a lot of quality talent at a young age and Alex Balde, the left back, is one of those who is shining. His deal expires in 2024 and the sports area want to tie him down by the end of the year, it's an absolute priority.
Balde started the season as third-choice behind Alba and Alonso and he's now ahead of them. Xavi's confidence in him is total. Despite loan offers, he stayed at the start of the season.
When he renewed his contract in 2021, the club already put a 500m euros release clause on his head. However, the deal needs extending and he will undoubtedly get a pay rise.
Balde and his camp - Jorge Mendes - are negotiating and things are going well, although there is an economic distance between both sides. Balde wants to be on a similar scale to Araujo and Gavi who renewed recently.
Mendes has advised Barca that various Premier League clubs are after Balde and they will make big offers at the end of the summer if Barcelona need income. However they don't want to lose Balde under any circumstance.
Barca hope to move on Alba instead, and if they do, they will extend Alonso's deal, which expires at the end of the season. His versatility - playing some games at centre-back - is a reason to keep him.
