Barcelona fully trust 20-year-old gem despite looking for ‘top-tier’ signing in his position

As reported earlier today, Barcelona are seriously considering the possibility of signing Alphonso Davies in the summer of 2025, when his contract with Bayern Munich expires.

The interest in Davies does come as a bit of a surprise considering Barcelona already have a young left-back headed for the top in Alejandro Balde.

Barcelona fully trust Balde, want him to take a step forward

Now, SPORT reports that Barcelona’s pursuit of a top-tier left-back in the transfer market does not signal a lack of confidence in Alejandro Balde or his continuity at the club.

The Blaugrana fully trust their academy product but want him to make significant strides in his game – both defensively and offensively.

After an inconsistent performance and a significant injury last season, Balde is now under the watchful eye of manager Hansi Flick. The German coach believes the academy gem can deliver exceptional performances, especially given his current good physical condition.

This season, Balde has been a regular starter, although Flick has been cautious with his playing time following his extended injury layoff. The young defender has already participated in ten matches, accumulating 726 minutes.

Flick understands the need to maximise Balde’s potential while hoping to avoid injury setbacks. Last year, the 20-year-old suffered a severe hamstring injury in his right leg, requiring surgery and sidelining him for about six months.

Given his physical capabilities, Balde is considered a high-risk player, prompting Barcelona to consider finding a competitor for his starting position.

Areas for Improvement

While Barcelona’s commitment to Balde is unwavering, the club expects him to better utilise his offensive superiority. This season, he has provided only one assist despite frequently penetrating the opposition’s penalty area.

The coaching staff is working on improving both his attacking play and defensive positioning, recognising his substantial room for growth.

Barça renewed Balde’s contract until 2028 not very long ago, demonstrating both the player’s desire to stay and the club’s long-term plans for him.

In conclusion, while Barcelona maintain faith in Balde, the club aims to provide him with elite-level competition to further his development – with Davies being eyed as the ideal signing.