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Arsenal weighing up move for Barca starlet Alejandro Balde

By Ritayan Chatterjee on January 9, 2023

Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move for Barcelona youngster Alejandro Balde, as per the Spanish outlet Sport.

The 19-year-old came through the Catalan giants’ academy before making his senior debut last season. The left-back has established himself as a regular starter in Xavi Hernandez’s first eleven this term, assisting three times in 14 La Liga appearances.

Balde – who is valued at around £13m by Transfermarkt – has entered the final 18 months of his current contract and the negotiation regarding a new deal has already taken place between Barcelona and the Spanish international.

However, according to the report by Sport, despite making good progress in agreeing on a new deal with Balde, Barcelona are unable to register the youngster, with the new potential wage package, due to the Spanish league’s salary cap rule.

Therefore, this has made the youngster’s future uncertain and as per the Spanish outlet, Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the defender’s current situation and sign him up in January or next summer.

Balde to Arsenal

The report also says that signing the Spaniard won’t be easy for the north London club as Premier League rival Newcastle United are also eyeing a move for the talented defender.

Arsenal have been struggling with their left-back issue for quite a while. Kieran Tierney – who was Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice until last term – has found it difficult to stay fit since arriving at the north London club. Hence, Oleksandr Zinchenko was purchased last summer to provide Arteta with more options.

Zinchenko has established himself as the first-choice left-back at the Emirates Stadium this season and it appears the Spanish boss has lost faith in Tierney. The ex-Celtic man was left out on the bench in several important games during Zinchenko’s injury absence this term and instead, Takehiro Tomiyasu – who is a right-back by trait – was deployed in that position.

With the Scottish international’s future uncertain, signing Balde – who has already showcased glimpses of his talent in a very short spell at Camp Nou – could be an excellent decision. Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal will be able to get this deal over the line this January or next summer if Barcelona fail to register the 19-year-old.