Alongside Araujo: Liverpool plan a winter deal from Barcelona

Barcelona star Alejandro Balde keeps making Hansi Flick's matchday squads. He just never gets on the pitch. That has thrust him to the front of the winter transfer market.

Balde still carries weight at the Camp Nou, but Flick prefers Xavi Espart or Joao Cancelo in his position. The result? Balde has slipped to third choice at left-back, a marginal figure at a club he once started for.

His contract runs until 2028 and carries a release clause worth one billion euros, yet his real market value sits closer to 40 million euros.

According to Sport, Balde was linked with the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan this summer. In recent hours, though, his name has cropped up among Liverpool's targets.

Liverpool's Spanish coach, Andoni Iraola, rates Balde as an intriguing option, especially if the deal shapes up as a bargain.

Warmth defines the relationship between the two clubs, as the swift loan of Ronald Araujo to Anfield showed.

The Uruguayan defender has already made his mark in England, particularly in the Champions League. He was superb against Atletico Madrid, capping the display with a decisive assist off his heel.

For now, Balde has little choice but to graft in training and wait for Flick to hand him a fresh chance.

January is when the big calls get made. And the Premier League could suit his game perfectly.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, may look to find him a way out, a club where he can play regularly again and reclaim the role he lost at Barcelona.