PSG Pushes for Balde and Barça Hesitates: Is a Culé Promise Leaving?

With less than two months until the closure of the 2024-25 season, several FC Barcelona players are on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain. In addition to the well-known interest in Gavi and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi's aspirations for Lamine Yamal, Luis Enrique has also set his sights on Alejandro Balde, one of the culé internationals that the Asturian coach debuted with Spain during his time with La Roja.

In France, the latest reports indicate that PSG could go for Balde if Nuno Mendes decides to leave the club this summer. The Portuguese defender has a contract until June 2029, following his recent renewal, but several 'top' teams are interested in the Portuguese, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. Mendes could leave around 60-70 million euros in PSG's coffers, enough money to tempt Barça for Álex.

Although the Catalan defender has a contract until 2028 and a release clause of 1,000 'kilos'. However, PSG's idea is to put 100M € on the table to secure his transfer, as long as Nuno decides to leave. Luis Enrique is well aware of Barça's financial situation and the potential of the 21-year-old left-back, so he would try to convince him to change scenery with an offer that satisfies all parties.

Balde is non-transferable for Barça, for now

However, Barça knows that it must part with at least a couple of players to raise funds and strengthen itself without issues next summer, but Balde is not on the list of transferables. The club has full confidence in the '3', beyond the fact that signing another player for his position is not ruled out. The idea of the management and coaching staff is to bring in another left-back capable of competing for the position with Álex, without this implying giving up his services.

This season, Balde has 1 goal and 8 assists in 41 matches (3,160 minutes), being a key piece in Hansi Flick's scheme. Besides PSG, Manchester United could also make a tempting offer for the Spanish defender. Barcelona would only part with one of its undisputed starters in case of extreme urgency, for example, if LaLiga excludes the 100 million euros obtained from the sale of VIP boxes at Spotify Camp Nou from the 24-25 exercise.