This past Tuesday, reports emerged claiming that Barcelona president Joan Laporta and director Mateu Alemany met with superagent Jorge Mendes to discuss possible transfer targets and contract extensions.
Among the names that are understood to have been brought up during the talks is left-back Alejandro Balde, with Mundo Deportivo’s Ferran Martinez reporting that Barcelona made progress in renewal talks for the youngster during their meeting with Mendes.
The 19-year-old Balde has been one of the biggest revelations of the season at Barcelona as admitted by manager Xavi Hernandez.
Balde was not near the first-team picture towards the backend of the last season, but a good showing during pre-season earned him his shot and he has not looked back.
Indeed, the La Masia graduate displaced Jordi Alba as the first-choice left-back at Barcelona and broke into the Spanish national team not long after as well, doing so at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Balde has played 32 matches across all competitions this term, registering five assists, and has become the first-choice at left-back ahead of Alba and Marcos Alonso.
And with his contract expiring next year, the La Liga leaders have been trying to get him tied down to a new contract at the earliest possible.
The report states that negotiations are in the final stages and although some important details need to be sorted out, Barcelona were optimistic about getting the deal done, with progress being made during yesterday’s discussions.
At 19, Balde is seen as an important part of the core of the team that Xavi is building, along with the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo. And Barcelona will hope to extend his contract at the earliest possible.
