Liverpool Reportedly Make Alejandro Balde Their No.1 January Target for Iraola

Liverpool could be preparing to make a major statement in the January transfer window.

According to Topskills Sports UK, Liverpool have identified Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as their No.1 target for January, with new Reds boss Andoni Iraola reportedly keen to make the Spanish international a key part of his plans.

The report claims Liverpool’s hierarchy are already working behind the scenes to explore a potential deal.

And if there is any truth to it, this is certainly an exciting name for Liverpool supporters.

Balde would be a perfect fit for Iraola

One of the biggest changes under Iraola is going to be the way Liverpool use their full-backs.

Balde has many of the qualities you’d expect from a modern attacking left-back.

He’s quick, technically gifted, aggressive going forward and comfortable carrying the ball into the final third.

Those qualities could make him extremely attractive to Iraola.

The Liverpool manager wants his team to play with intensity and attack with purpose, and having a left-back capable of providing genuine width and pace would give him another weapon.

Balde would give Liverpool something different.

Liverpool need to think about the future

Andy Robertson has given Liverpool so much over the years, but the club inevitably has to start planning for life beyond him.

That doesn’t mean Robertson can’t still play an important role.

It simply means Liverpool cannot wait until they suddenly have a major problem at left-back before looking for a long-term solution.

Balde would represent exactly that sort of forward planning.

He’s still only 22 and already has significant experience at Barcelona and international level.

Liverpool have previously been linked with a move for the defender, with reports earlier this year claiming the Reds were interested in bringing him to Anfield.

But Barcelona won’t want to lose him

The obvious problem is that Liverpool wouldn’t be shopping in a cheap market.

Balde is a Barcelona player and remains an important part of their squad.

There has also been interest from other Premier League clubs, with Manchester United reported to have contacted Barcelona about his situation.

So if Liverpool really have decided that Balde is their priority, they could face serious competition.

And Barcelona would have little reason to make negotiations easy.

Could this be Iraola’s first big January signing?

Liverpool didn’t strengthen every area of the squad during the summer, and the 0-0 draw with Fulham has already highlighted some of the issues Iraola still has to solve.

The midfield needs attention.

There are questions about squad depth.

And the manager is still trying to mould this team into his own side.

Adding a player of Balde’s quality could therefore be significant.

It wouldn’t simply be another signing.

It would be a clear indication that Liverpool are building the squad around what Iraola wants from his team.

For now, we should treat this as a report rather than anything close to a done deal.

But if Topskills Sports UK’s information is accurate and Balde really is Iraola’s absolute No.1 target for January, Liverpool could be preparing for one of the most interesting transfer battles of the winter.

And personally, I’d be very interested in this one.

A young, explosive Spanish left-back who can attack, defend and fit the manager’s football?

That sounds like a Liverpool signing to me.

Jamie (The Kopite View)