Alejandro Balde to Aston Villa from Barcelona
The Verdict Right Now
| Move | Barcelona → Villa |
| In short | Agent sets January terms |
| Last reported | November 6th (3 days ago) |
| Sourcing | From an outlet with a mixed record, so treat it with some caution |
Villa are among the Premier League clubs aware of the conditions to sign Balde in January, the Barcelona daily Sport reported, relayed by Sport Witness on November 6th; Manchester United and Liverpool are named alongside them, with Manchester City and Spurs also in the mix. None has made a final decision. Barcelona are open to a sale at €40m, while his agent, Jorge Mendes, sees a loan with an option to buy, possibly convertible into an obligation, as more viable, and a decision is expected in December. The 23-year-old left-back has yet to start for Barcelona this season, with 124 minutes from five appearances behind João Cancelo and Xavi Espart. He chose to stay at Barcelona in the summer.
Primary source: Sport, via Sport Witness (Naveen Ullal), November 6th · last corroborated November 6th.
How the Story Moved
| Date | What changed | |
|---|---|---|
| August 24th | Tracked | Rumor opened on the board at 11% (linked) — source: Mundo Deportivo, via Sports Mole (Lewis Nolan). A fresh name as Villa widen their search for defensive cover. Sports Mole's Lewis Nolan reported at 11:49pm UK time on August 23rd, citing Mundo Deportivo, that Manchester United face competition from Villa and Benfica for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, valued at around £43m by Transfermarkt; speculation was fuelled after Balde was left out of Barcelona's squad for their match with Elche. Manchester United are described as the frontrunner, having reportedly made contact with the player's camp, with United able to offer a larger wage than Villa though both can offer Champions League football; Benfica are seen as a financial long shot. Mundo Deportivo is a Barcelona house organ rather than an independent beat outlet, capped at tier 3 per this board's source rules, and no Villa approach or contact has been separately reported -- interest only, not an active pursuit. Balde, 22, has made over 150 appearances for Barcelona. |
| August 26th | Moved | Likelihood fell from 11% to 8% (cooling). Balde has informed Barcelona he wants to stay and compete for his place this season, Fabrizio Romano reported on August 26th, with the decision now up to the club after no official bid was received from any suitor; only a big proposal from a top European club could change things before deadline day. That cools Villa's speculative interest along with Manchester United's more advanced pursuit, which never advanced past exploratory contact either. Balde returns to Barcelona's squad for their match with Athletic Club on August 26th having been left out for the Elche game. |
| September 1st | Moved | Likelihood fell from 8% to 2% (off). Resolved as Balde said it would be: he told Barcelona he wanted to stay and compete for his place (Fabrizio Romano, August 26th), and no official bid arrived from Villa or anyone else before La Liga's window closed September 1st. Villa's interest never advanced past speculative contact. |
| September 2nd | Verdict | Rumor died — dropped from the board at 2% |
| November 6th | Tracked | Rumor opened on the board at 11% (linked) — source: Sport, via Sport Witness (Naveen Ullal), November 6th. Villa are among the Premier League clubs aware of the conditions to sign Balde in January, the Barcelona daily Sport reported, relayed by Sport Witness on November 6th; Manchester United and Liverpool are named alongside them, with Manchester City and Spurs also in the mix. None has made a final decision. Barcelona are open to a sale at €40m, while his agent, Jorge Mendes, sees a loan with an option to buy, possibly convertible into an obligation, as more viable, and a decision is expected in December. The 23-year-old left-back has yet to start for Barcelona this season, with 124 minutes from five appearances behind João Cancelo and Xavi Espart. He chose to stay at Barcelona in the summer. |
Timeline since the rumor joined the board.