By Pranav Shahaney

19th Jun, 2022 | 1:36pm

Chelsea want to sign Barcelona starlet Alejandro Balde - report

Chelsea are reportedly plotting a move for Barcelona starlet Alejandro Balde amid their interest in two of the Blues’ defenders.

According to the Daily Mirror (June 18, 10:05 am), the Blues are set to rekindle their interest in the 18-year-old after failing to sign him 12 months ago.

The Blues chiefs could use Barcelona’s interest in Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta to negotiate a deal for the young left-back.

Worth signing?

Balde is essentially a Barcelona B player, but was promoted to the first team under Xavi last season and also made his senior debut.

He is still far off from the rest of the senior players in terms of ability and if the right offer comes, the Catalan Giants could very well consider his sale.

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With only a year left on his deal, it does make sense for the Spanish side to see if there’s a market for him and the Blues do seem like an interested party.

Ben Chilwell will be their first choice and it does make sense to have a young left-back as a backup and he will not demand regular first team minutes as well.

Thomas Tuchel is a quality manager and Balde will certainly learn a few things from him should he make the move.

It will also smoothen the other deals Barcelona are working on and there’s a very good chance that this transfer gets over the line soon.

In other Chelsea news, they could face competition from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to sign Josko Gvardiol.