Alejandro Balde's future at Barcelona has taken a dramatic turn in the past week, with manager Hansi Flick dropping the 22-year-old left-back from the matchday squad for the season opener and telling him he must prove his worth to stay.

Until now a largely unremarkable summer at Barcelona, the sudden exclusion of the academy graduate from the squad felt different. Balde had played the first half of the final pre-season friendly against Egyptian side Al Ahly three days earlier, delivering an assist for teenage striker Hamza Abdelkarim in a 2-1 home win.

But in his press conference to preview Sunday's opener at Elche, Flick said he did not know whether Balde would be in the 23-man squad — a quietly ominous warning.

"It is a difficult decision, and Balde is a player with huge qualities, but what I said before possible is important: do you have the conviction to compete for your position?" Flick said. "I see what players do here every day, how they behave and if they show what it takes to be at the top level. That's the most important thing. I need everyone to be 100 per cent committed to us."

On the morning of the game, Flick told Balde he had decided to leave him out of the team and squad. Xavi Emilios 17-year-old academy left-back Xavi Espart started in his place against Elche, while Joao Cancelo, who rejoined Barcelona permanently from Al-Hilal last week, came off the bench in the second half of the 5-0 win. "I spoke to him because I felt there was something wrong," Flick said after the match. "I had the feeling it was best for him to clear his mind and sort out his thoughts and talk again."

Man United interest — but a permanent move only

Barcelona have been open to offers for the academy graduate all summer. It was believed in June that his development had stalled after five seasons in the first team, with loane Nick Cancelo establishing himself above him in the pecking order in the second half of last season.

The Athletic's Transfer DealSheet reported that Manchester United are considering a move for him, with that interest likely to be limited to a loan as they would be cautious over further spend in the window. However, a loan has not been Barcelona's plan. With just over a week to go before Tuesday's deadline, they would likely only sanction permanent sale and for a significant fee — and Balde would need to be on board, which he is not.

Barcelona sources, speaking anonymously, say he will stay if a suitable offer does not come in. But with under two years left on his current deal, the club might not be able to command a high fee this time next year, and the seven-time Spain international would have a stronger hand in renewal talks.

An accepted challenge

On Tuesday, Flick and Balde held a further conversation. Balde was told he is seen as backup to Cancelo for now and must show willingness to work hard and improve — to which he responded by accepting the challenge to fight for his place and asked to be given minutes on the pitch.

People in Balde's camp were surprised by the week's developments, but Barcelona sources say his representative Jorge Mendes was asked to seek offers at the start of the summer window. At the time the defender refused to consider leaving. He is very happy with life in Barcelona playing for his boyhood and hometown club he joined at age eight after a spell with Barcelona neighbours. Despite his youth, Balde has made 168 appearances since his first-team debut in September 2021 as a 17-year-old.

Balde possesses outstanding physical attributes, great pace and can match Barcelona's technical demands, but a perceived lack of focus and concentration issues during games have seen him fall out of favour. First-team sources have been underwhelmed with his recent progress and attitude. He also reported for pre-season with a back injury he had not been involved at the World Cup and had plenty of time to prepare.

Espart is not the only rising left-back challenger on the scene; considerations are promising teenager Jordi Pesquer, who spent pre-season with the first team. There would be significant disappointment among supporters if Balde leaves, but also an acknowledgment that he has not progressed as he should have — and the standards under the double Flick are extremely high.