United want Barca defender, Real remain keen on Konate - Euro Transfer News

Manchester United have registered an interest in Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, placing the Premier League giants among a cluster of English clubs monitoring the 20-year-old’s situation. Sources indicate that Manchester City are also tracking the Spain international, setting up a potential domestic tug-of-war for the highly rated defender.

Balde, who broke into Barça’s first-team picture last season, is viewed across Europe as one of the most explosive full-backs in the game, and his availability has alerted several top-flight outfits in England. While no formal offer has been tabled, United’s recruitment staff have identified the youngster as a candidate who could bolster their defensive options.

The news comes amid ongoing speculation surrounding Real Madrid’s pursuit of Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. The La Liga giants have retained a long-standing admiration for the Frenchman and continue to keep a close eye on his development, although any move is still in the exploratory phase.

With the summer transfer window approaching, both United and Real could ramp up their respective campaigns, ensuring a busy few months of negotiations for Europe’s elite.