According to sources, Manchester City is one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and may hold the key to winning the war.

Barcelona may have to sell certain players next summer due to continued financial concerns. Balde may be a potential for them to sell after progressing through their program and becoming a first-team regular.

According to Sport, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all interested in the left-back. Chelsea is the most interested party.

However, the Spanish source reminds Man City that they are already scheduled to negotiate the future of Joao Cancelo, who is now on loan in Catalonia, with Barcelona in the summer.

Barcelona wants to keep Cancelo, thus Sport suggests that Manchester City use him as a makeweight in a move for Balde.

Cancelo appears to have no future at Manchester City following his spat with Pep Guardiola a year ago. As a result, after the Champions League holders inquired about Balde earlier this summer, a part-exchange deal might theoretically benefit both clubs.

But Barcelona are still hesitant to let Balde go, especially after extended his contract until 2028 with a €1 billion release clause, indicating how much they want to keep him.

The 20-year-old is aware that he has Premier League suitors, but Barcelona will try to stymie them unless they have to make one unforeseen sell.

Balde has now appeared in 73 games for Barcelona, scoring once and assisting eight times. He has also been called up to the Spanish national squad seven times.

Xavi has used Balde in all but two of Barcelona’s La Liga title defense matches this season. He also chose him to start half of their Champions League group matches and half as a replacement.

Despite having a couple of left-footed centre-backs who can work well in Pep Guardiola’s fluid tactical scheme, Man City may need a more natural left-back.

Meanwhile, Manchester United were forced to bring in Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia in the early parts of the season.

Finally, there have been questions raised regarding the long-term prospects of Ian Maatsen and Marc Cucurella at Chelsea, which might provide a hole in Mauricio Pochettino’s team for a left-back.

However, Barcelona does not have much depth in Balde’s position, especially if they say goodbye to former Chelsea player Marcos Alonso in 2024.

As a result, clubs will have to work hard to entice Balde away from his current club next year. However, at this rate, widespread interest is unlikely to disappear.