Manchester City reportedly enquired about the possibility of signing Barcelona youngster Alejandro Balde in this summer's transfer window.
The 19-year-old has cemented his place on the left side of the Barca defence, appearing 54 times for the Catalan giants since making his first-team debut in July 2021.
Balde featured in 33 La Liga matches last term - with 30 of those coming from the start - as Xavi's men regained the Spanish league crown from arch rivals Real Madrid.
The left-back is a product of Barca's famous academy, and has also appeared for Spain at Under-17, Under-19 and senior level over the past four years.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City approached Barcelona in April over the potential capture of Balde this summer, although the Premier League champions' enquiry was not welcomed with open arms.
© Reuters
A separate report from Spanish outlet SPORT claims that Barca were quick to reject the advances from the Citizens for Balde, with the La Liga holders stating the player is not for sale.
It is understood that Pep Guardiola's side were looking to secure the services of the defender via an exchange deal, with a City star moving the other way.
Joao Cancelo is said to be one of the players that the Citizens were willing to use as part of a swoop for Balde, and although that particular deal did not occur, the Portuguese secured a switch to Barca on a season-long loan late in August.
An agreement for the 19-year-old did not materialise over the summer, and it is believed that the two clubs did not reach a stage in discussions where a possible fee would have been suggested.
The report also claims that Xavi's side are ready to reward Balde with fresh terms in Catalonia, meaning that he will be contracted to the Spanish champions until the summer of 2028.
© Reuters
It is believed that Guardiola was also targeting the signing of Balde's teammate Lamine Yamal over the summer - a pursuit which is said to have angered the Barca hierarchy, who were unimpressed by "some attitudes and comments" which arrived from the blue half of Manchester.
Attacker Yamal scored on his debut for the Spain on Friday evening, netting his nation's final goal in a 7-1 mauling of Georgia in a European Championship qualifier at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena.
Balde was constrained to a watching brief from the bench as Luis de la Fuente's men ran riot in Tbilisi, however the 19-year-old could earn his sixth cap for Spain when they face Cyprus in Granada on Tuesday night.
As for Barcelona, they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at the beginning of the 2023-24 term as they host Real Betis at their temporary home on September 16.
