The 22-year-old left-back has struggled to secure regular minutes under Hansi Flick. According to reports in Spain, Balde made only one appearance across Barcelona’s opening 11 matches, playing 12 minutes in a heavy win over Racing Santander.
His limited involvement comes after a summer in which Barcelona were reportedly prepared to listen to offers. Balde ultimately stayed, choosing to fight for his place rather than pursue a move elsewhere.
That decision may now be under review as the January transfer window approaches. Reports suggest the defender is increasingly open to leaving if his playing time does not improve.
Fabrizio Romano has previously been linked to reports of contact between Manchester United and Balde’s representative, Jorge Mendes. United considered the possibility of signing the full-back during the summer, but did not complete a deal.
A report published by Football365 in September said Manchester United had held talks with Mendes but ultimately decided against pursuing Balde, with the financial demands involved understood to have been a factor. The same report suggested a January move could become more realistic depending on how the defender’s situation develops over the following months.
United’s reported interest is linked to their need for options at left-back, while Balde’s lack of regular football could make a departure more attractive to the player. However, no agreement has been reported, and Barcelona’s position would also be central to any potential transfer.
Balde remains part of Flick’s first-team squad, according to Barcelona’s official player list. His current lack of minutes, rather than any confirmed decision by the club to sell him, is the main factor driving speculation about his future.
The defender has previously established himself as a regular at the Camp Nou, making 47 appearances in the 2024-25 season and featuring 42 times across all competitions in 2025-26, according to Barcelona’s official statistics. His recent struggles for game time therefore mark a significant change from his earlier role.
Mendes is reportedly exploring possible options, with Manchester United one of the clubs mentioned. Other interested teams have not been clearly identified in the available reporting.
A January departure remains a possibility rather than a certainty. Balde’s role over the next few months could determine whether he stays to compete for a place at Barcelona or seeks a fresh start elsewhere, while United would need to decide whether to revive their interest.