Chelsea are reportedly considering a £13m move for Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde.
The 18-year-old has been in impressive form for Xavi's side during the 2022-23 campaign, contributing three assists in five La Liga appearances.
Balde has moved past Jordi Alba to become Barcelona's first-choice left-back in La Liga, although he is yet to feature in the Champions League this term.
The Spain Under-21s international has entered the final two years of his contract at Camp Nou, and according to Fichajes, Chelsea are weighing up a move for the defender next summer.
The report claims that the Blues are considering a £13m bid, and his arrival at Stamford Bridge could lead to Ben Chilwell departing, with Balde potentially providing competition for Marc Cucurella.
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Balde spent time in Espanyol's youth academy before moving to Barcelona at the age of eight, and he made his first-team debut for the Catalan giants last term.
In total, the teenager has played 12 times for Blaugrana, and he was recently hailed by Xavi for his displays in the early stages of this season.
"It never ceases to amaze me that a kid of Balde's age is playing as well as he is. He will give us a lot," the Barcelona boss told reporters after the 3-0 win over Elche on September 17.
"Balde is a great left back. We have three great left-backs. Jordi [Alba], Marcos [Alonso] and Balde. He created several chances today. I'm very happy for him, he's very mature."
Balde's developent, and the arrival of Marcos Alonso, has led to suggestions that Alba's time at the club is coming to an end.
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"I can tell you that in my thoughts it has always been to be at Barcelona, I see myself qualified to be here for the years that remain on my contract," Alba told reporters at a recent event for Adidas.
"I have shown a lot of commitment to the club, colleagues and in the end, the decision is up to the club, they are what they are and there are many interests and I will never get into that issue. My commitment to the club is 100%. I'd like to tell you more but I'm not going to go into that subject.
"I am a man who likes to go face to face I like to go toe-to-toe with everyone, everyone doesn't like it but I'm like that. I can't say anything more. I think things can be done better, but nothing surprises me when it comes to football."
Barcelona are thought to be making signing Balde to a new contract a priority in the near future, which would end Chelsea's hopes of acquiring him next summer.
Chilwell joined Chelsea in a big-money deal from Leicester City in August 2020, but the left-back's long-term future with the Blues is unclear following the arrival of Cucurella over the summer.
Matt Law
