In a positive update, DEPREDICT is reporting that Barcelona are just one step away from closing the contract renewal of youngster Alejandro Balde, with the deal expected to be finalised this week.
Balde is a product of the La Masia youth academy and made his breakthrough under Ronald Koeman back in 2021. However, it is the ongoing campaign during which the 19-year-old has established himself as a permanent fixture on the left side of the Barcelona defence.
Indeed, Balde has left veteran stars such as Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso behind in the pecking order to become the first-choice left-back for Barça manager Xavi Hernandez. He has made 34 appearances across all competitions, registering six assists.
Balde also broke into the Spain national team last year at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and looks set for a prominent role for La Roja under new manager Luis de la Fuente.
The 19-year-old’s current contract with Barcelona expires in 2024 which had led to interest from several clubs, especially Chelsea.
In order to stave off interest in Balde, the Blaugrana had been working on a renewal for quite some time now.
The player, for his part, has always wanted to continue at Spotify Camp Nou. However, the Spaniard is understood to have sought a contract with similar wages to that of Ansu Fati and Pedri.
Negotiations with his agent, Jorge Mendes, have been fluid and the two parties have seemingly worked to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
The other concern for the left-back was whether his new contract would be registered or not, given Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play problems.
But, as per the report, he has received assurances from the club over his role in the team as well as over the registration of his contract.
The Catalans have reassured Balde that they will register his new deal and that of other players like Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Marcos Alonso before going after new signings in the summer.
With that, the final details of the contract are expected to be finalised and the renewal agreement is set to be closed this week.
Balde will sign a new contract with Barcelona that will tie him down to the club until 2027. It will also include a massive release clause worth €1 billion.
