Teenage Barcelona left-back will not return to youth team, expected to leave on loan | OneFootball

Barcelona are bracing themselves for a few busy weeks ahead as the club look to dole out their final squad by the end of this month.

While the focus will be on the upcoming season opener against Rayo Vallecano later this evening, there are a host of players who are concentrating on their immediate future and, potentially, a way out of Camp Nou.

One of those players could be Alejandro Balde, as per reports from Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish journalist suggests Barça are convinced Balde’s time at the club’s reserve side, Barça Atletic, is over. The player will be ascended to the senior side this summer, but whether or not he will remain at Camp Nou is anyone’s guess at this point.

As things stand, Balde is serving as the deputy for experienced first-choice left-back Jordi Alba. If the situation continues to remain the same, the youngster may have a significant number of opportunities to prove himself in the season ahead.

However, a move away from Camp Nou remains a possibility as Barcelona, despite rating Balde highly, prefer the addition of a more experienced option in the position.

Marcos Alonso has appeared as the ideal target for Xavi, who rates the Chelsea star highly due to his experience and pedigree at the highest level of football. With his contract expiring in 2023, the Spaniard is unlikely to cost a fortune either.

As such, Alejandro Balde’s future at Barcelona could be linked to the fate of the club’s pursuit of Marcos Alonso, who is determined to join the Catalans ahead of the new season.

That said, it is unlikely Barça will sanction a permanent sale of Balde. The club believe the youngster has what it takes to become an asset in the future and with that in mind, a loan move away from Camp Nou could be a real possibility this summer.