Deco opens contact with Jon Martin’s camp as Barcelona monitor defensive options | OneFootball

Although there are still some time left before the summer transfer window opens, the Sporting Department of FC Barcelona is already busy working to strengthen the team for the upcoming season.

One of the main priorities of the Blaugrana side is to reinforce its defense with a new center-back, and Alessandro Bastoni, with whom they are in quite advanced negotiations, is their most preferred target for this position.

However, Barcelona are also exploring other alternatives, and according to SPORT, one of the names being monitored is Jon Martin of Real Sociedad.

In fact, as SPORT has reported, Deco recently held an informal meeting with the player’s agent, Iñaki Ibáñez, to sound out his situation. It was a routine exploratory contact rather than any formal negotiation, with Barcelona simply gathering information on the defender’s current status and future possibilities.

Jon Martin has been one of the standout defenders of the season, attracting attention with his consistent performances at the highest level. The Real Sociedad centre back, who is under contract until 2031, has a release clause set at €50 million, while his current valuation is around €20 million.

Standing at 1.87m, he has impressed with his aerial strength, composure on the ball, and ability to play out from the back, qualities that fit several of Barcelona’s requirements for a new defender, even if he is not left-footed, which remains a priority in the club’s recruitment profile.

The young defender further boosted his reputation with an impressive display in the Copa del Rey Final against Atletico Madrid, where he played a key role in helping Real Sociedad secure the trophy. His performance in that high-pressure match has also caught the attention of several top European clubs.

For now, it remains to be seen whether these contacts would strengthen further going forward, as Alessandro Bastoni still remains the preferred option for Barcelona.