Barcelona manager Hansi Flick left Alejandro Balde out of the squad for Sunday's 5-0 LaLiga win at Elche, saying the defender's head is not fully here and he has many things on his mind. Flick told Balde in a conversation on Saturday morning that it was best he stay behind and clear his thoughts, with a follow-up meeting planned for Monday.
The decision came after Balde met with agent Jorge Mendes on Friday to discuss interest from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Benfica, among other Premier League clubs. The 22-year-old left-back is under contract until 2028.
Flick, who started João Cancelo at right-back following the Portuguese defender's signing through 2029, also ruled out new centre-back arrivals, dismissing links to Gonçalo Inácio and Castello Lukeba. Rodri Hernández, Marc Casadó, Héctor Fort and Jesse Bisiwu were also absent from the matchday squad.