Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Alejandro Balde.

The 22-year-old Barcelona defender has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and the Spanish champions are prepared to let him leave the club.

Alejandro Balde could join Manchester United

According to Fabrizio Romano, the player has been omitted from the matchday squad against Elche, and he could leave the club before the end of the window.

Manchester United need more depth in the left-back department, and the 22-year-old could be a handy option for them. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he could help them at both ends of the pitch. Apart from being a reliable defender, he can be quite effective going forward. He could add a new dimension to the Manchester United attack.

Luke Shaw is in the twilight stages of his career and Manchester United need to plan for the future. Balde could be an interesting option. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an official proposal to get the deal done.

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Balde could be a cost-effective solution

Manchester United have also been linked with players like Lewis Hall, but the Newcastle defender is likely to cost a lot more. Balde could be a cost-effective solution for them.

The 22-year-old will certainly be attracted to the idea of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Manchester United can also offer him Champions League football.

He is unlikely to get opportunities at Barcelona this season, and the player will be desperate to move on so that he can play more often. Sitting on the bench at the Spanish club would be detrimental to his development.