Barcelona considering signing and registering a new player to replace Balde – report

In a major update, FCBRAC1 is reporting that Barcelona are weighing up the possibility of signing a new left-back this month as a replacement for Alejandro Balde.

Balde suffered a hamstring injury earlier this week during the Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Club.

After tests, it was determined that the 20-year-old left-back would require surgery, with the club confirming earlier today that the La Masia ace will indeed go under the knife.

It would essentialy mean that Balde’s season is over and he will be unable to play for the remainder of the campaign, leaving Xavi with Marcos Alonso as the only senior left-back, who is also injured currently.

Barcelona considering replacement

As such, Barcelona are now studying the possibility of bringing in a new left-back before the ongoing January transfer window is closed.

The Catalans have strengthened the squad with the solitary arrival of Vitor Roque this month and have been working on the signing of a new midfielder, although that appears unlikely due to the club’s Financial Fair Play situation.

But with Balde’s injury leaving the team in a precarious position, the possibility of reinforcing the position for the remainder of the season is being considered.

Conditions for signing

As it happened with Gavi earlier this month, La Liga’s rules stipulate that any club can sign a new player if there is a long-term injury in the squad, even if there are FFP issues.

But there are certain conditions to be met such as the new player would be on less than 80% wages of the injured star and would only be signed on a short-term contract.

Barcelona made use of that rule to bring forward Roque’s arrival and register him in place of Gavi, who would not play again due to his ACL injury.

And, the possibility of repeating that with Balde’s situation is being looked at, and it would be a possiblity if his medical report stipulates that he will be out for at least four months.

It will be interesting to see if it is path that Barça take, with less than a week left before the window closes.