To keep or sell – What should Barcelona do with defensive ace amid Premier League interest? | OneFootball

Barcelona are in a critical stage in their planning for next season with crucial decisions to be made over player arrivals and much-needed departures.

Planning on the former front is going well with Joan Garcia signed and Nico Williams now a serious target.

Player sales, thus, become crucial to accommodate the new arrivals and names like Pablo Torre, Pau Victor, Ansu Fati and others have been linked with a departure.

Gerard Martin, however, has emerged as a surprising candidate to leave as well.

Having started the season as a relatively unknown quantity, the youngster made a decent impact on the team’s season with 28 league appearances and a performance to remember against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League regardless of the result.

Several Premier League clubs have emerged as potential destinations for the player with Bournemouth and Wolves particularly being interested in his signing. The management, thus, has a big decision to make over his future.

A strong case to sell

It was clear through the course of last season that Martin lacked the quality to make it as a full-time starter at a club like Barcelona, but his perseverance and grit helped him stitch up some favourable performances towards the end of the year.

While his stocks did see a decent surge after the manager’s faith in him paid dividends, there is a real feeling that this might well be his ceiling.

It is thus in Barcelona’s best interest to seal the player’s exit when his stocks are the most bullish and there is no better time than now if they intend to make a decent sum from his sale.

Martin has attracted interest from the Premier League, and keeping him for another season may backfire with there being a solid chance he sees his value drop once more.

Given the team’s financial situation, need to clear up space on the wage bill and the board’s decision to even pursue Nico Williams now, selling Martin would help the club on multiple fronts and aid the squad rebuild.

A more than valuable backup

Gerard Martin has interest from the Premier League. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

While there is indeed a very strong argument to sell Martin in the summer, a convincing argument can be made against the decision as well especially considering that Barcelona struggled for depth at left-back last season.

Alejandro Balde is indeed Hansi Flick’s favoured option in the department, but the Spanish full-back has had fitness problems in the recent past.

There is thus a strong need for depth in the department and Martin provides a tick in that box. He may not be the most impressive on the ball but he has proven to be a decent defensive cover.

With Nico Williams likely to come in and offer width and threat in the final third on the left flank, the stocks for defensive left-backs will rise in Catalonia and Martin, thus, might well be a better player than he was last season.

After all, even the potential arrival of Alejandro Grimaldo should Martin leave will see an attacking full-back arrive and the manager could well be left without a player who can offer a bonafide defensive solution – something Martin does offer.

Conclusion

Taking everything into account, selling Martin despite the defensive cover he provides in Balde’s absence, could be the way to go forward.

The team does indeed require better cover at left-back, but the rapid rise of young Jofre Torrents gives the coach enough to lean on should he require further depth than is directly available.

Further, the club’s interest in signing Grimaldo can only reach fruition should Martin’s sale go through. Even though he offers defensive solidity, someone like Grimaldo will be a major upgrade over the 23-year-old.