Liverpool can beat Man Utd to €40m transfer after Barcelona emergency meeting

14 Sept 2026 13:20 BST | 4 min read

Alejandro Balde, Barcelona, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Liverpool’s January transfer window could be shaped by an emergency transfer meeting in Barcelona between Alejandro Balde and super-agent Jorge Mendes.

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Balde was linked with a move away from Barca in the summer, with Manchester United linked with the Spain international. However, no deal was made amid assurances from Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick that the 22-year-old was part of his plans.

But it has not transpired this way. With six competitive matches completed, the left-back has failed to play a single competitive minute for the Camp Nou side, who have started the campaign in spectacular form with a run of big victories.

Current ETV

Alejandro Balde

D (L)

Barcelona

Alejandro Balde

D (L)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€38.9M - €47.5M

Balde’s predicament grew worse on Sunday as Barca smashed Levante 4-2. Not only was he beaten to the starting berth by Xavi Espart, who scored, but when the time came to replace the 19-year-old, Flick opted for Joao Cancelo.

An emergency meeting will now be held between Balde and Mendes to discuss the player’s next steps, having fallen to third choice in the pecking order, Sport reports.

Balde to Liverpool is a perfect January move

Liverpool are tracking the progress of this all closely, the Catalan paper states. While the Reds’ issues have primarily been in the right-back area, Milos Kerkez has also come in for criticism on the opposite flank, and Balde appears both accessible and an upgrade on the Hungary international.

This might not be the priority area for the Reds to strengthen, but Balde represents a huge market opportunity for the Merseysiders, nevertheless.

Indeed, data analytics firm SciSports only has good things to say about the prospect of this deal.

According to its analysis, Balde would arrive at Liverpool and be the third-strongest player at the club, performing at a level marginally above Dominik Szoboszlai.

© IMAGO - Alejandro Balde, Liverpool Club Fit, September 2026

But what’s really exciting is the potential that the Spaniard has. SciSports gives Balde a potential ceiling of 138.3, which has been calculated using hundreds of in-game data points. Put into context, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is currently the best player in the Premier League on 136.6 with Arsenal’s William Saliba on 131.1 second best in England’s top flight.

Liverpool, meanwhile, is a strong destination for Balde, according to SciSports’ Career Advice tool, which marks clubs based on a wide variety of metrics, including development, game time, playing style and formation.

Andoni Iraola’s side score a strong 77, which is the highest of any alternative club.

Barcelona’s asking price is also more than reasonable. According to Fabrizio Romano, they only wanted €40m for Balde when United approached them in the summer.

In the worst-case scenario, that figure will not move, but with Balde relegated to third choice, Liverpool could have the possibility of negotiating the fee down further. Given the youngster has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43.2m, the Premier League club are in a position of strength.

Balde to Liverpool has all the makings of a perfect January transfer.

It would solve an established problem at Liverpool, while allowing Barca to cash in on an asset they are not using, with both sides feeling they are getting value for money. As for Balde, the data suggests that a move to Anfield would be beneficial for his career, so this would truly be a deal where all parties would benefit.