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Manchester City made contact with Barcelona over Kopa Trophy nominee

By Evan Curnew

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 03: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Sadar on September 03, 2023 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 03: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona at Estadio El Sadar on September 03, 2023 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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In the weeks following the close of the transfer window, we always hear stories about the transfers that did not happen. As we have recently covered on The Top Flight, Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was wanted by multiple clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Still, the Belgian international rejected the offers sent his way. This is not the only “what could’ve been” story surrounding the reigning Champions League winners.

Manchester City asked Barcelona about Alejandro Balde’s situation

Fabrizio Romano is reporting that back before the summer transfer window even officially opened, Manchester City had made contact with Spanish giants Barcelona over the contract situation of Alejandro Balde. It has been no secret that the Catalan club has had to offload wages in order to re-sign players, and Balde’s contract was due to expire next summer. Despite this, Barcelona is confident in renewing the contract of Alejandro Balde, Romano reports. He is due to sign an extension that will keep the player on the Barca books until 2028.

Romano reports that negotiations between City and Barca ended fairly quickly as Barcelona viewed Balde as untouchable.

Born and raised in the capital of Catalonia, Balde has come through Barcelona’s famous academy of La Masia. The Spanish fullback became a regular starter last season under manager Xavi. Balde has quickly established himself as not only one of the most promising upcoming defenders, but he’s among some of the most talented in his entire birth year. He is a nominee for the 2023 edition of the Kopa Trophy, an award created by France Football and given to the player deemed as the best U21 talent in the world.

Manchester City have a lot of flexibility in their fullback positions. They have their own young fullback in Rico Lewis, who is able to be deployed on either flank. The club has just loaned Joao Cancelo coincidentally to Barcelona and likely hopes to sell the Portuguese fullback permanently in the near future.

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