United and City Target €130 Million Stars in Final Transfer Push

Manchester United are expected to hold direct talks with agent Jorge Mendes, whose Gestifute agency manages Alejandro Balde’s career. Mendes maintains long-standing institutional connections with Manchester United, having previously negotiated high-profile transfers for clients including Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, David de Gea, Radamel Falcao, and Leny Yoro.

Concurrently, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are preparing a formal proposal valued at approximately €130 million ($141 million) to acquire Chelsea central midfielder Enzo Fernández, who is actively encouraging the potential move. Transfer journalists Fabrizio Romano and Schira report that City are preparing an opening proposal expected to total €130 million.

United’s concrete interest in the 22-year-old Balde follows internal discussions regarding the physical sustainability of primary left-back Luke Shaw. Shaw, who arrived at Old Trafford from Southampton in June 2014 for £30 million, has suffered recurrent hamstring and soft-tissue injuries throughout his decade-long tenure in Manchester.

No formal bid or agreed structure exists between Manchester United and Barcelona, and the Spanish club has not publicly indicated a willingness to sell the defender. The imminent meetings between United and Mendes are structured to gauge financial parameters and determine whether Barcelona would entertain an official offer.

Fernández, a product of River Plate’s youth system in Buenos Aires, moved to Benfica in the summer of 2022 before earning the FIFA Young Player Award at the 2022 World Cup during Argentina’s tournament victory. In January 2023, Chelsea acquired Fernández from Benfica for a then-British record transfer fee of £106.8 million (€121 million), signing the player to an eight-and-a-half-year contract valid through June 2031.

According to reporting from ESPN and Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, United hierarchy determined that Shaw cannot reliably maintain a start rate of three matches per week across domestic Premier League fixtures and the UEFA Champions League. The positional shortage at Old Trafford was further accentuated after backup left-back Tyrell Malacia, acquired from Feyenoord in July 2022, endured a extended rehabilitation period following major knee surgery.

Balde is a graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy who made his senior debut for the Catalan club in September 2021. His performances earned him a senior international debut for Spain at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar during a group-stage match against Costa Rica.

City’s pursuit of Fernández comes amid strategic adjustments to Pep Guardiola’s midfield rotation following a severe knee ligament injury sustained by Spanish international Rodri in September 2024. Industry reporting clarifies that Manchester City are not involved in any discussions regarding Barcelona’s Balde, focusing exclusively on Fernández to reinforce their central unit.

Balde established himself as Barcelona’s main left-back during their 2022–23 La Liga championship campaign, eventually replacing long-serving defender Jordi Alba. In September 2023, Barcelona signed Balde to a long-term contract extension running through June 2028, featuring a €1 billion ($1.08 billion) release clause, prior to the player undergoing hamstring surgery in Finland in early 2024.

United explored alternative market options earlier in the transfer window, including making formal inquiries to Newcastle United regarding 20-year-old left-back Lewis Hall after his loan move from Chelsea was made permanent. Fernández is pushing for the transfer, making personal terms unlikely to delay a potential agreement between the clubs.

Manchester United are initiating direct contact with agent Jorge Mendes to explore a deal for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as a solution to long-standing positional instability.