Liverpool have joined Chelsea in trying to sign Barcelona youngster Alejandro Balde, according to Sport.
The Spanish publication claims both English clubs have approached the Catalan giants about the availability of the 16-year-old, who is said to be preparing to leave for either of the Premier League clubs.
The report adds that Barcelona believe they can keep hold of Balde, but are aware that their chances of doing so are slim.
Balde joined Barcelona’s Under-17s setup last summer and became a regular starter for the club towards the end of the season, which coincided with the player earning his first five caps for Spain at Under-16 level.
OPINION
Not much is known of Balde, given his age and inexperience. Therefore, it is hard to say whether this would be a move which would be fruitful for either club. But by the sounds of it, the fact that Liverpool and Chelsea want to sign him must mean he has something about him. If this report is true, then having two top-six sides after you at a young age like that must give Balde confidence in his own ability. It remains to be seen whether either of these moves will happen, but if they do, Balde will definitely move into the youth setup at either Anfield or Stamford Bridge and progress from there. Whatever happens to Balde, it looks as if his performances for Barcelona’s Under-17s have not gone unnoticed, both domestically and on the international stage, with the player being drafted into his country’s youth ranks after a solid spell for his club side.
