Barcelona made enquiries for three left-backs after Balde injury, but signing ruled out

Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde suffered a hamstring injury during the away game against Athletic Club, after which he had to undergo surgery.

Now, it’s given that the young defender will be out of action for a long time, and in order to fill the void, Barcelona have identified three replacements, reports SPORT.

According to the outlet, Barcelona scouts have enquired about the availability of Nicolas Tagiliafico, Jonny Otto, and Pervis Estupinan for a potential loan deal this month. As it turns out, though, any new arrival has now been ruled out.

Barcelona’s troubles with injuries

Injuries have emerged as a major challenge for Barcelona this season. 

Since the beginning of the season, key players such as Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Raphinha, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, and Inigo Martínez have either been sidelined or are currently grappling with various physical issues.

The latest setback occurred with Balde, who will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Following Gavi’s serious injury while playing for the Spanish national team, the club decided to expedite the arrival of Vitor Roque, originally scheduled for the upcoming summer transfer window. 

Nicolas Tagliafico is a target for Barcelona. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

This move was made possible through the release of a percentage of chips associated with the youth player. Balde’s injury, meanwhile, could potentially prompt additional reinforcements for Xavi’s squad, which has been heavily relying on youth players due to player shortage.

In light of potential needs, Xavi proactively inquired about the availability of three players in the same position: Tagliafico, Estupinan, and Jonny Otto. 

It’s important to note that, at this stage, these inquiries have been exploratory in nature, merely seeking information about the players’ situations and assessing the potential for more serious considerations when the need arises.

While the necessity is still there, Xavi has decided to use Hector Fort on the left for the time being, with Marcos Alonso expected to be back in a month.