Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde has decided his future amid strong interest from Premier League giants Man Utd, according to reports.

The Red Devils spent the majority of their summer transfer budget on midfielders with Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos moving to Old Trafford.

Man Utd were linked heavily with several left-backs over the summer window with Newcastle star Lewis Hall at the top of their shortlist.

However, the price the Magpies wanted for Hall proved too much for Man Utd in the summer and they decided to leave their pursuit of a new left-back until 2027.

Rayan Ait-Nouri emerged as a potential deadline day loan option from Man City, while both the Algeria international and Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell are rumoured to be targets ahead of the January transfer window.

Barcelona star Balde was among the other options for Man Utd over the summer and he is set to feature again on their wanted list as they go for a left-back in the winter.

Bringing an update earlier this month on Balde’s future, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel: “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.”

Man Utd face competition for Balde from Aston Villa and Liverpool

And Sport now reveals that Balde’s agent Jorge Mendes ‘is gathering offers and sounding out major European clubs with the aim of making a decision during December’ on the Barcelona left-back’s future.

Balde is now agreement with his representatives that ‘the best course of action is to leave Barça in the upcoming winter transfer window and find a sporting project that will allow him to regain prominence.’

The report adds: ‘Barça prioritises a transfer in the region of €40 million, but the player’s agent considers a loan with an option to buy more viable, which could even become mandatory if certain conditions are met.’

Man Utd and other Premier League sides such as Aston Villa and Liverpool ‘have listened to the terms of a potential deal, although none have yet made a final decision’.

Balde has made a move to the Premier League his ‘first option’ as he decides his destination despite Serie A sides Roma and Juventus meeting with Mendes to discuss potential terms.

A permanent deal could be tricky for clubs in the winter market and Barcelona ‘would prefer a permanent sale’ but ‘are willing to explore options that would immediately free up salary space and secure future income’.