Manchester United are scrambling to sign a left-back before the transfer window slams shut on Tuesday.
Luke Shaw‘s struggles against Ipswich Town made it abundantly clear that the Red Devils need a replacement and fast.
The Englishman’s poor injury record and his ageing legs mean he cannot be trusted to play multiple games in a week.
INEOS have failed to sign Lewis Hall from Newcastle, and the plan is to return for him next summer. But till then, a backup needs to be sorted.
Luke Shaw’s replacement needed ASAP
The 20-time English league champions do not want to spend big on a new left-back, and that rules out a late move for David Raum of RB Leipzig.
Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde was identified as a stop-gap signing, with United offering the La Liga champions a loan with an option to buy.
However, the Catalans are insisting on a permanent deal. As revealed by Fabrizio Romano, there was a late meeting on Sunday between United, Barcelona and Balde’s agent, Jorge Mendes.
“On Balde, Man Utd believe the deal is too expensive. So Man Utd also informed by Jorge Mendes over the weekend, on Sunday, about any movement around Balde.
Alejandro Balde: meeting to break the deadlock fails
“Jorge Mendes made sure Man Utd had all the conditions of the deal but Manchester United were only interested on loan, maybe with a buy option clause, maybe becoming an obligation under certain conditions.
“But Jorge Mendes told Man Utd, as of today, Barcelona want permanent transfer or nothing. The player also is keen on staying at Barcelona, so that’s the situation.”
AC Milan, another team in the race for Alejandro Balde, are facing the same obstacles, and only if the conditions change will a late move materialise.
Interestingly, Romano still believes United will sign a left-back for Michael Carrick before transfer deadline. Who that will be remains a mystery.
Feature image Judit Cartiel via Getty Images
