Barcelona coach sets sights on injury-prone Manchester United defender for 2026 – report | OneFootball

The surprise departure of Inigo Martinez has left FC Barcelona without a left-footed centre-back in the squad this season.

Hansi Flick has tried left-back Gerard Martin as a makeshift option for the role and plans to count on him, if needed.

However, the Blaugrana are on the lookout for potential options in the market to address the deficiency in the squad.

Links to Inter Milan superstar Alessandro Bastoni have surfaced, but pulling off the move could be a costly affair.

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez an alternative

As such, Fichajes claims that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has identified Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez as a possible target for 2026.

The 27-year-old Argentine is highly rated by the Barcelona coach, who admires his ability to build play from the back, his speed in one-on-one situations and his positional intelligence.

Martinez is currently out injured. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The German coach is convinced the defender could be an ideal addition to a backline that needs greater variety to compete in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Martinez’s contract at Manchester United runs until 2027, meaning by the end of this season he will be entering the final year of his deal – a situation that could make negotiations easier.

The report further suggests the player himself would be open to a move to Spain and to donning the Barça shirt.

Injury concerns

The major obstacle to the move going through is Martinez’s recurring injury record.

The Argentine international is currently recovering from a serious cruciate ligament injury and is not expected back on the pitch until January 2026.

Prior to this injury, Martinez, since joining Manchester United in 2022, had gone on to miss 57 games for club and country due to five separate injury issues.

For Barcelona president Joan Laporta, the Argentine could represent a market opportunity. His fitness record raises doubts, but also reduces the cost of a potential transfer.

The Barça president views Martinez as a more affordable option than Flick’s primary target, Alessandro Bastoni, whose signing would demand a far higher outlay.