Hansi Flick preference could seal fate for Barcelona defender | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez may well be intent on staying at the club this summer, but Hansi Flick does not appear to be desperate to keep him.

The Basque defender was spoken about as a potential makeweight in a deal for Nico Williams of late, and last week it was reported that Martinez would be going nowhere, instead fighting for his place. He is not yet registered for next season, but Barcelona must also pay out his contract if they do not do so.

According to Marca though, Flick has taken the decision that he does not need Martinez next season, instead preferring Eric Garcia as his fourth central defender behind Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Andreas Christensen, with Jules Kounde expected to play next season on the right some of the time.

Flick feels Garcia would be better bringing the ball out from the back, and has more goals in him from defence, scoring five times last season, as Flick intends to set up. In addition, he feels he could use Garcia in midfield as a pivot, something that Martinez would not fit in his eyes.

Martinez has played there more regularly than Garcia in his career, although that was much earlier on. If Mikayil Faye, as looks likely, departs the club and is followed by Martinez, it would leave Flick without any left-footed central defenders, and a bill of several million to pay in all likelihood, as the Basque defender seems keen to remain at the club.