Alejandro Balde's future at FC Barcelona is suddenly up in the air. Once considered the club's left-back for years to come, the La Masia graduate is now reportedly facing doubts from the very team that nurtured him.

Balde's rise through the ranks was nothing short of meteoric. Breaking through under Ronald Koeman, he quickly cemented himself as an undisputed starter under both Xavi Hernandez and current boss Hansi Flick. For a long time, he had no real competition for the position—until the turn of 2026, when João Cancelo returned to Catalonia for a second loan spell.

Culers weren't exactly thrilled when Cancelo's return was announced. His first stint in 2023/2024 was a mixed bag—a "loose cannon" period that ended without silverware and ultimately spelled the end of Xavi's tenure. But under Flick's different system, Cancelo has been reborn. He's been given the freedom to push forward, with Gerard Martin dropping into a back three to provide cover. Cancelo isn't afraid to drift into central areas either, adding a new dimension to Barça's attack.

While there are still details to sort out with Cancelo's parent club, Al-Hilal, his permanent transfer could become a reality if his reported €15 million asking price holds. That would be a game-changer for Balde's future at the club.

But it's not just internal competition driving the uncertainty. Premier League giants Manchester United are circling. According to SPORT, the Red Devils are keen on bringing Balde to Old Trafford, and super-agent Jorge Mendes is expected to play a pivotal role in orchestrating moves for both Cancelo and Balde across three different clubs.

Barça's financial situation means they can't afford to ignore a bid north of €50 million for the former Spain international. To put that in perspective, that's not much more than what Inter Milan is reportedly asking for star center-back Alessandro Bastoni. And if Barça seals Cancelo's permanent move for €15 million, they'd still have change left over.

Here's the kicker: Balde is pure profit. Having joined La Masia at just seven years old, any transfer fee would count as 100% capital gain for the cash-strapped Catalans. It's a business decision that, while painful, might be impossible to pass up.