Barcelona were close to selling 18-year-old defender in the summer – report

While Barcelona’s superb start to the new season has garnered a number of praiseworthy talking points, Alejandro Balde is right at the top of this list.

Starting in four out of the five La Liga games for his boyhood club, the teenager has been a revelation at left-back. However, it has been revealed that an exit from the Spotify Camp Nou seemed on the cards for the 18-year-old at one point.

As per a report by MARCA, Barça had planned to put Balde on the transfer list this summer. However, the youngster impressed in pre-season, which meant he was afforded another chance to shine in the first-team.

So far, it’s safe to say that the Spaniard has seized his golden opportunity by the scruff of the neck, with Xavi currently utilising him as his go-to option at both left-back and left wing-back.

The academy graduate’s searing pace, attacking verve, and intensity in the defence has given the Barcelona boss a number of reasons to entrust him in the side up until this point.

So much so that several sources have claimed that Alejandro Balde could be in line for a start against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, which speaks volumes of how impressive he has been in the senior setup.

Balde was especially excellent during Barcelona 0-4 win against Cadiz, proving to be a force of nature for both Josebua Zaldua and Ivan Alejo. And if not for some terrible refereeing, the Spaniard would have won a penalty for Barça in the first half.

Ultimately, it is expected that the wonderkid will not play chunks of the season at certain points as well, with Marcos Alonso’s addition from Chelsea this summer as well as Jordi Alba still remaining at the club.

However, credit must be given to Balde for changing Barcelona’s stance from viewing him as a disposable player to a regular starter.