Barcelona frustrated in Alejandro Balde contract talks

Robin Bairner

• 11 Dec 2022 08:15 CST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have reached an agreement for Alejandro Balde over a new contract, but the Catalans find themselves in a position whereby he cannot sign it.

Sport reports that Balde, who has exploded at Camp Nou this season, playing 16 games and creating three goals, has agreed terms to a new deal that will see him remain with the club until 2027.

The 19-year-old will have a €500 million release clause in his new contract – but Barcelona find themselves in the frustrating position whereby they cannot finalise the deal yet.

MORE: Barcelona suffer blow in the hope of selling Memphis Depay

It is reported that everything is in place for the deal to be concluded but Financial Fair Play legislation is preventing them from tying things off because Balde’s new agreement would take Barcelona over their salary limit.

Consequently, Barca have asked from patience from the player and his entourage until they are in a position for the agreement to be made formal. This is likely to be done during the January transfer window,

Fellow defender Ronald Araujo is reportedly in the same position.

Balde has been one of the success stories of Barcelona’s season, with the teenager having impressed in the left-back role to such an extent that he was a member of Spain’s World Cup 2022 squad. As a result, he will move up on the salary scale in the same manner that fellow La Masia graduate Gavi has done.

MORE: 10 players who could join Barcelona in January

Could Barcelona lose Balde over this delay?

Barcelona are confident that Balde will remain with the club, and as his present contract runs out in 2024, the power is with the Camp Nou team.

However, Spanish reports suggest that Jorge Mendes, who is the player’s agent, has warned the club that there will be big offers from the Premier League if a new contract is not finalised.

The desire of Balde, though, is to remain with Barcelona for the long term, and everything points to the renewal being completed in the near future.