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Man Utd transfer target Alejandro Balde is “attracted by the option of” playing in the Premier League, according to reports in the Catalan media.
Mundo Deportivo claim that the Spanish international is seriously considering his future at Barcelona after falling down the pecking order.
Head coach Hansi Flick has recently spoken out about Balde’s lack of confidence as he explained why the likes of Joao Cancelo are playing ahead of him.
The player is said to have resigned himself to the fact that if he wants to get more minutes, he will have to leave the Camp Nou, with Old Trafford one of his possible destinations.
It is believed that Bayern Munich and Manchester City also considered moves for the 23-year-old during the summer transfer window, along with United.
The Red Devils are, though, seen as the likeliest to make a move in January, with the club currently without a fit, senior left-back option. Luke Shaw is still on the treatment table, having last played against Tottenham over three weeks ago.
In the summer, it was reported that Barca had slapped a €45m (£37.5m) price tag on Balde, but at the time, United weren’t willing to stump up the cash.
The feeling was that Director of Football Jason Wilcox only wanted the Spaniard on loan, as the club was saving up funds to make a move for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as Shaw’s long-term replacement.
It is not known whether Hall’s decision to sign a new long-term contract with the Magpies has changed the calculus on pursuing a permanent deal for Balde, but one thing is clear: he is keen on a move to Manchester.