Manchester United could be in line to land a Barcelona star they wanted in the summer, as it’s believed he could see departing the Spanish giants as his only option.

Concerns about the left-back position at Old Trafford in the summer, partly surrounding Luke Shaw’s fitness problems, saw the Red Devils seek to sign a new option there. The Englishman has spent time sidelined, and right-back Diogo Dalot has frustrated while deputising on the left.

Barca man Alejandro Balde was one of the options courted in the summer, but wanted to remain with the Spanish giants.

That might have changed after just 100 minutes of LaLiga action this term.

Spanish outlet AS reports though Balde was reluctant to leave in the summer, he may now see an exit as the ‘only realistic way out.’

Indeed, it’s said his current situation is becoming hard to justify, and his agent Jorge Mendes has therefore begun exploring the market.

The suggestion is Balde could either look to leave Barcelona on a loan or a permanent move, but that January could be a crucial time.

The report states there is no clear suggestion at the moment whether United and Roma, both of which enquired for Balde in the summer, are still interested in him.

However, a number of reports continue to link the left-back with an Old Trafford switch, with one insider suggesting the Red Devils are going all out to sign the Barca man.

Alejandro Balde has the choice

Insider Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has suggested that the choice will be with Balde over whether he wants to leave in January.

He said: “The situation that is getting more complicated is the situation of Alejandro Balde.

“Balde, in the summer, was a potential exit. Barcelona wanted Balde to go in the summer in case of [a] good proposal, but Balde wanted to stay and fight for his place.

“There was no agreement with any club, also because Barca were not letting Balde go on loan or on [an] easy deal in the summer, [it] had to be an important proposal.

“Now it’s November, Balde is almost never playing, really limited minutes. So this could be a situation to watch in January in case of [a] good proposal, in case of [a] good opportunity.

“It’s not the best year for Balde, and this is why his future has to be discussed.

“But everything will depend on the player, because the player in the summer didn’t want to leave.”