Catastrophically slow: Barcelona make a costly mistake in the final days of the transfer window

The Blaugrana pay the price for the confusion

Barcelona have kept Alejandro Balde on their books this season after the club dragged their feet in finding the Spanish full-back a suitable new home, despite being willing to weigh up the offers that landed during the summer transfer window.

His situation remains complicated. Balde has slipped down Hansi Flick's pecking order and has not featured since the start of the current campaign.

Catastrophic error slams the door shut

Barcelona had told Balde's representative at the start of the transfer window that they were willing to listen to offers for the player. No serious move emerged until the final days of the market.

According to the newspaper "Sport", the club only began searching in earnest for a suitable destination during the last ten days of the window. That was the grave mistake that complicated the deal, leaving too little time to get it done.

One idea put forward was a swap involving Balde and Italy's Federico Dimarco. Inter rejected the proposal, and contacts with Manchester United led nowhere concrete.

Barcelona were willing to listen to offers, but Baldé himself never pushed for the exit. The 22-year-old, whose contract runs until 2028, wanted to stay and convince Hansi Flick that he deserved a bigger role.

Flick's verdict on the player is the biggest obstacle. The German coach has no doubts about Baldé's technical ability, yet he believes the full-back has yet to reach the required level for sharpness, commitment and tactical discipline.

Pre-season handed Baldé his chances, but Flick prioritised other options in the two full-back berths. He also values players who can cover more than one position, and that works in Eric Espart's favour.

Flick's advice: awaiting the emergency

Flick sat down with Baldé in August, and the meeting ended with the coach telling the player to find another club that could guarantee him regular minutes.

Barcelona were willing to listen to offers. That didn't mean they wanted him gone at any cost, though, especially with Baldé showing no real desire to leave and the club failing to find a suitable destination before the window shut.

So Baldé starts the season as a backup in Flick's plans. His situation could change as the campaign wears on. Injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion and a dip in form from his rivals could all hand him a route back into the starting line-up.