Jon Martín set to lead Real Sociedad defence, €60m clause deters Europe | OneFootball

Jon Martín, 20, will step up to lead Real Sociedad’s defence after significant changes at centre-back. According to AS, Aritz Elustondo has departed and Duje Caleta-Car’s loan has ended, leaving Martín to share the role with Igor Zubeldia and returning loanee Jon Pacheco.

The club are exploring one or two additions in that area, while weighing whether Luken Beitia joins the first team or spends another year with Sanse.

Martín began last season at 19 in a learning role, which prompted the arrival of the experienced Croatian, but he finished as a starter with 32 appearances, 25 in LaLiga and seven in the Copa del Rey. He scored two goals and shone in the Copa final won against Atlético Madrid in Seville. He did so wearing the B team’s number 31 while working full time with the seniors, initially under Sergio Francisco, then mainly under Pellegrino Matarazzo.

This year his status changes with a professional registration, and he is in line to inherit the number 6 vacated by Elustondo.

His rise has drawn interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, yet La Real are not negotiating below his €60m clause as he is fully trusted. The defender has repeatedly said he is happy at his boyhood club and wants to keep winning trophies in Gipuzkoa. On 4 June he made his Spain debut in a friendly against Iraq, playing 60 minutes, and a more regular spot with the senior side looks increasingly close.

Inside the club there is calm about a centre-back they view as mature despite his age. A packed calendar will test him again, with La Real competing in LaLiga, the Europa League, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa.

Source: AS