Manchester City have suddenly withdrawn interest in signing £858m player in swap deal

Manchester City have suddenly withdrawn interest in signing £858m player in swap deal

Manchester City are no longer keen to sign Alejandro Balde from Barcelona in a deal involving Joao Cancelo.

 

That is according to SPORT in Spain.

 

 

So, what is the latest on Alejandro Balde and Manchester City? Let’s take a look…

 

Alejandro Balde update

Well – according to SPORT – Manchester City held a firm interest in signing the Spain international.

 

Pep Guardiola is on the lookout for a new left-back at the Etihad Stadium, and Balde was considered to be a leading target for Txiki Begiristain to pursue.

 

 

Now – however – SPORT believe Manchester City have abandoned their interest in the Spaniard, who has a release clause worth €1bn (£858m) written into his contract at Barcelona.

 

balde manchester city

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

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The Spanish news outlet state that Manchester City now only want cash for Cancelo, and have no desire to accept an offer of Balde plus a fee from Barcelona.

 

SPORT do not explain why the Citizens have decided to withdraw interest in the Barcelona No.3 this month – although it is said that Chelsea could now take over and sign the defender instead.

 

Manchester City left-back shortlist is shrinking

We recently documented all of the left-backs Manchester City have been linked with here on Manchester City News as Guardiola aims to find a new option in that department.

 

 

Argentinian wonderkid Valentin Barco and Balde were on that list.

 

Now – however – Barco has sealed a move to Brighton, while Manchester City have withdrawn their interest in Balde, which means the list is shrinking.

 

balde manchester city

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Inter Milan No.32 Federico Dimarco and Bayern Munich No.19 Alphonso Davies are also believed to be targets – as we covered in the aforementioned article – so perhaps it is now worth keeping an even closer eye on those two situations.

 

Whatever happens, it would be a major surprise if Manchester City did not sign a new left-back in 2024.