Catalan paper Sport always have their ear close to the ground when it comes to rumours at Barcelona, and the latest whispers are about youngster Alejandro Balde.
The left back is prodigiously tall, fast and strong for his age, with the kind of technique you’d expect for a La Masia product.
Still just 17, he’s heading towards the end of his time in the youth academy, and is ready to battle for a first team spot soon, with Junior Firpo struggling to settle as Jordi Alba’s backup.
His contract expires at the end of next season, so Chelsea are just a year away from being able to negotiate a free transfer with him.
If he’s given a chance in the first time at the Camp Nou before then it could prove difficult to prise him away. But if he’s still waiting for a chance, Chelsea’s habit of picking up brilliantly talented European youngsters might just prove useful.
