AS Roma is exploring a winter transfer for FC Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to reports from Tuttomercatoweb.

The Serie A club is considering a loan deal that includes a purchase obligation linked to the team’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League, a move intended to defer the bulk of the transfer fee until next summer.

The pursuit of the 23-year-old defender has the approval of manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who views the Spanish international as a key reinforcement for his side’s domestic title aspirations. While Roma’s sporting director, Tony D’Amico, is spearheading the interest, the potential move remains complex due to Barcelona’s high valuation of the player and his significant salary.

Financial hurdles for the Barcelona defender

Barcelona is reportedly prioritizing a permanent sale of the defender for approximately €40 million, as the club looks to generate capital to fund the acquisition of a new central defender, a stated priority for head coach Hansi Flick. Goal.com reports that while the Catalan club prefers an outright transfer, they are open to alternative structures to reduce their wage bill immediately.

The salary requirements for Balde pose a substantial barrier for several interested parties. Balde, a product of the club’s youth academy, has seen his playing time decrease, with the technical staff reportedly citing concerns regarding his tactical concentration and defensive reading of the game.

Premier League and Serie a clubs eye Balde

Roma faces significant competition for the defender’s services. Yahoo Sports notes that Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa, have held discussions with Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes. The player is reportedly interested in a move to the English top flight if his situation at the Camp Nou does not improve.

🚨 AS Roma have ENTERED THE RACE to sign Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde in the JANUARY transfer window! 🔴🟡🇪🇸 Roma are seriously considering a move for Alejandro Balde as Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the second half of the season. pic.twitter.com/xPhQmwyeo5

— Post by @F_W_Euphoria on X

In Italy, Juventus is also monitoring the situation, particularly if Andrea Cambiaso departs the Turin club. Meanwhile, AS Monaco remains a contender, though interest from Benfica—which was strong during the summer—has cooled as the Portuguese side has addressed its requirements at left-back.

Manchester United, que ya siguió la situación de Alejandro Balde durante el verano, continúa perfilándose como uno de los clubes interesados en el lateral para reforzar su plantilla.

Balde considers January move to regain playing time

Balde is reportedly aware that a departure during the January window may be the most effective path to regaining consistent playing time and re-establishing his status as an influential player. His representatives are currently assessing the various projects proposed by European clubs to determine the best fit for his development.

The next steps in the process involve Jorge Mendes evaluating the formal offers presented by interested clubs throughout December. The decision regarding Balde’s future is expected to be finalized before the January transfer window closes, providing clarity on whether the defender will remain at Barcelona or move to a new European project.

Flick seeks defensive reinforcements amid tactical instability

The urgency to offload players stems from Flick’s desire to reinforce the center of the defense. Despite the return of Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia to the squad and the expected imminent return of Jules Koundé, the club remains dissatisfied with their defensive reliability. Recent tactical experiments, such as the deployment of Brian Fariñas, proved unsuccessful, requiring a halftime substitution for Frenkie de Jong to stabilize the position.

🚨 Roma are monitoring Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde ahead of January! 🟡🔴🇪🇸 Roma are considering a move for Alejandro Balde as Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen his defensive options for the winter transfer window. pic.twitter.com/xVHURYUEZ4

— Post by @F_W_Euphoria on X

Balde’s current standing is further complicated by his position in the rotation. Although he logged minutes against PSG, in the Clásico, and against Alavés, he was never selected to start, effectively placing him behind João Cancelo and Espart in the pecking order.

Flick has been publicly critical of the defender, noting: Balde no tiene ahora la confianza que necesita en su juego, ni la convicción. Y los defensas son muy importantes.

Because Balde is a product of the club’s youth system, any proceeds from a sale would represent pure profit for Barcelona. However, he is not the only player facing a potential exit; reports indicate that Pablo Paéz ‘Gavi’ could also be sold if an offer arrives that the club finds convincing.

As the winter market approaches, the question remains whether Mendes can secure a deal that satisfies both Barcelona’s valuation and the financial constraints of interested suitors like Manchester United or Roma.