Barcelona eye €40m Manchester United star despite injury – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona lost one of their most important defenders in the recently closed summer transfer window as they saw Inigo Martinez join the Saudi side Al-Nassr. With this departure, the Catalans have lost their only left-footed center-back in the squad.

For now, Hansi Flick has several options, including Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, and Eric Garcia, to replace Martinez, but some recent reports suggest they are also looking in the market to find a reliable left-footed defender.

According to Fichajes, Barcelona have set their sights on Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez. The 27-year-old Argentine is admired by Flick for his speed, positional awareness, left-footedness, and ability to play out from the back, qualities that fit seamlessly with the German coach’s system.

Martinez’s contract at Old Trafford runs until 2027, but by the end of this season, he will be entering the final year of his deal, which could make negotiations more favorable for Barça. The defender himself, as per the report, is open to the idea of a move to Spain.

The main concern, however, is his injury record. The €40 million-rated Argentine is currently sidelined with a serious cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out until January 2026. Even so, he featured in 32 matches for United last season, proving his value as an elite defender when fit.

His fitness concerns inevitably raise doubts, yet they may also drive down the transfer fee and make him a more affordable option than Barcelona’s top target, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan. The Italian defender remains on the club’s radar, although the cost of bringing him from Serie A would be considerably higher.

For now, Martinez represents a realistic and financially viable alternative as Barcelona look to reinforce their defensive line. Despite the risks, his Premier League and international experience make him an attractive candidate, and his name will remain firmly on the club’s shortlist as Flick pushes for defensive reinforcements.