Barcelona set sights on signing 21-year-old sensation from Benfica

Barcelona looks set to address the problem surrounding the left-back position in 2025. There is a clear consensus within the club that Alejandro Balde has underperformed this season, and it's widely believed that his insufficient competition has contributed to his dip in form. Therefore, the club is committed to making a significant signing next summer to strengthen this position.

Alphonso Davies has recently been a topic of speculation regarding a potential move to Barcelona; however, indications suggest he is more inclined to stay at Bayern Munich. Consequently, Barcelona is exploring alternative options, with Alvaro Fernandez Carreras emerging as a strong candidate.

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Barcelona eyes new wing back to replace Balde

According to A Bola (via MD), Barcelona has expressed interest in Carreras and has arranged for club-to-club discussions with Benfica. These talks are set to take place during their upcoming Champions League encounter the following month.

Carreras has a €42 million release clause, making his signing a challenging task for Barcelona unless they can significantly enhance their financial situation before the season ends. Currently, that seems unlikely.

Real Madrid and Manchester United are also watching over the youngster from Benfica. However, Barcelona's chances of securing him hinge on improving their finances by the end of the season. The competition for Carreras is intense, and Barcelona must act decisively if they want to acquire the young left-back in 2025.

For the time being, Barcelona needs to gather resources to sign their star midfielder Dani Olmo, who is set to become a free agent after December 31. 

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