Barcelona ask La Liga what leeway they have to sign Balde replacement

When Gavi ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, Barcelona dropped him and took advantage of the fact that they could use 80% of his salary to bring in another player, Vitor Roque. It is the same thing they want to do now that it has been confirmed that Alejandro Balde has to undergo surgery on the hamstring in his right thigh. 'Mundo Deportivo' claims that Joan Laporta's board are waiting for La Liga to confirm how much budgetary margin they have available.

The aim is to sign a defensive midfielder despite the fact that the youth player is a full-back. The coaching staff believe that this position is well covered, although they have had to turn to younger players such as Hector Fort. Given the profiles of Pedri Gonzalez, Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, the board believe that their coach needs a defensive midfielder.

It makes sense in view of the lack of defensive solidity the 'Cules' have had this season. It is the main reason for their decline, which was starkly evident in the defeat against Villarreal earlier this weekend. It is this disappointment that prompted Xavi Hernandez to announce that he will not continue in his role after 30th June. Still, there is faith that the next six months will see an improvement.

At the moment, no names have come to light that Deco's sporting management might be considering. A few weeks ago, the Catalan press suggested that of Kalvin Phillips, but transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano denied that the deal was even close to happening, and said that the Manchester City midfielder had signed on loan from West Ham United until the summer.