Man Utd revive efforts to sign £34m Barcelona star on transfer deadline day

Manchester United will renew their efforts to sign Alejandro Balde from Barcelona late on transfer deadline day, according to reports in Spain.

Midfield has been the area of focus for United this summer with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba coming in as part of a £150million rebuild in the middle of the park.

A new left-back has also been explored with Lewis Hall emerging as a top target. Newcastle however have had no intention of cashing in on the England international and while United’s interest remains, a move next summer is the more likely scenario.

Balde has been considered at Old Trafford with United holding talks with the Spain international’s agent Jorge Mendes in late August.

But after talks with the club, it was reported Balde would stay and fight for his place despite slipping down to third place in the pecking order under Hansi Flick.

Balde was recalled to the Barcelona squad against Rayo Vallecano but is still to play a single minute this season. 19-year-old Xabi Espart has started each of Barcelona’s three matches at left-back with Joao Cancelo also in the mix after returning to the Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.

On the final day of the summer transfer window, Gerard Romero’s Jijantes FC reports that in the last few hours, United have stepped up their interest in Balde once again and are trying to convince him to join the club.

United would still have to agree terms with Barcelona with their preference a temporary loan deal. Barcelona are willing to listen to offers but want a permanent deal, valuing Balde at €40million (£34m).

United meanwhile are not planning a late move for Racing Santander left-back Jorge Salinas on transfer deadline.

The path has cleared somewhat for United to make a move for the 19-year-old with Racing signing another left back in Aaron Martin from Genoa on deadline day.

Atletico Madrid are also admirers of the Spain Under-19 international but the La Liga giants have switched focus to Nicolas Tagliafico are in advanced talks to sign the Argentina international.

Salinas has a release clause of €16million (£13m) but despite the relatively low fee, United do not have any plans to make a late move for the full-back.