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Alejandro Balde contract renewal on track, Moriba negotiations stalled

BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 13: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona B with the ball during the Segunda Division B match between FC Barcelona B and RCD Espanyol B at Estadi Johan Cruyff on December 13, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

According to Mundo Deportivo, the renewal of Barça B left back should facilitate in the next week or two. The same publication also report that Ilaix Moriba has requested his agents to get a new contract sorted as soon as possible to allow him to train with the first team.

Alejandro Balde was left surprised when he last week received a call from the club that he would not take part in pre-season with the first team. Neither the player or his agents had any understanding of the decision. His agents were anyway trying to renew Balde’s contract despite the original contract having the option of extending with two years.

Negotiations took place this monday between Barcelona executives and Balde’s representatives. Balde’s agent Jorge Mendes’ good relationship with Barça has made the process easy. If everything goes to plan, the left back will have a new contract by the end of the month. Mundo Deportivo are reporting that it could be a five year deal, until 2026.

Balde is one of the most promising full backs on the Barça B roster and is expected to roam between the first team and the B-team this coming season. He will start the season playing for the B-team, but could end up being called up to the first team on occasions, especially now that Junior Firpo has left the club and Barcelona are left with no backup left back. Mundo Deportivo say Koeman would prefer a more experienced player as a backup to Jordi Alba, but that the club simply doesn’t have the resources to look for a left-back on the transfer market.

Update on ilaix Moriba’s contract renewal process

Moriba’s renewal with Barcelona has stalled, according to Mundo Deportivo. After Moriba declined the club’s first offer, the club sent the player to train with the B-team. The message is clear: Sign the contract or you’re not playing with the first team. The club is surprised and a tad disappointed at how difficult Moriba’s agents have made the renewal process.

The only news is that Moriba’s agent now have requested a meeting with the club at the end of the week. Moriba wants the situation solved as soon as possible so he can start training with the first team. Ilaix is a Koeman-favorite and the player could be seeing loads of first team minutes again this season.