President confirms ‘incredible’ £500m Arsenal & Newcastle target has agreed new contract

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Fabrizio Romano has relayed Barcelona president, Joan Laporta’s quotes about Arsenal and Newcastle United target Alejandro Balde agreeing a new contract.

Only recently, Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe’s sides were linked with a move for the talented left-back, who has had a £442 million release clause up until now, as per Barça Universal. Considering Xavi told Spanish outlet SPORT that he is ‘amazed’ at how brilliant he is at just 18 years of age (19 now) speaks volumes about his talent.

But now, Alejandro Balde is closing in on a contract extension with Barcelona, which is unfortunate news for Arsenal and Newcastle.

Arsenal & Newcastle dealt blow as Balde agrees new Barcelona contract

While both clubs have in-form left-backs at their disposals in the ‘special’ Oleksandr Zinchenko and Dan Burn, who made the cut in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Season so far, the Blaugrana youngster has an arguably higher ceiling.

But unfortunately for both Arsenal and Barcelona, Fabrizio Romano has quoted Barcelona president Joan Laporte confirming that Alejandro Balde has agreed to sign a new contract.

“We have an agreement with Alejandro Balde on new contract, waiting for the final approval for the Financial Fair Play. Balde, Sergi Roberto, Araujo, also the future of Busquets…we are working on present and future of the club”, he said about the Arsenal and Newcastle target.

Both Premier League clubs have a right to be gutted

While the Spanish international only has 4 assists in La Liga this season, tuning in to his performances will have any and every observer blown away.

Arsenal and Newcastle, especially due to the presences of coaches such as Arteta and Howe would have taken Alejandro Balde to the next level, if he had agreed on a move instead of a new contract at Barcelona.

However, missing out on elite young prospects is just a part and parcel of football but still, both managers and clubs would be fairly disappointed, with even Jordi Alba telling SPORT that he has an ‘incredible future.’