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FC Barcelona have reportedly recognized Lisandro Martinez as an “preferrred candidate” to improve their backline – and the Spanish big are plotting to reap the benefits of Manchester United to agree a cut-price deal for the 28-year-old centre-back.
The Butcher
Martinez – affectionately nicknamed ‘El Carincero‘, the Butcher – is extensively seen as one among Europe’s finest ball-playing defenders, able to making incisive passes which lower by means of the opposition press.
Pep Guardiola called him one of many “prime 5 centre-backs on this planet” after United beat their native rival within the ultimate of the FA Cup in 2024, because the Argentina worldwide marked Erling Haaland out of the sport.
But it surely was Martinez’s talents in possession which the Spanish supervisor mentioned “made the distinction” within the 2-1 win for the Purple Devils – as he has in quite a few different video games since arriving from Ajax in 2022 for £57 million.
Nevertheless, ‘The Butcher’ has endured a horrendous run on the sidelines throughout his time at Outdated Trafford, with a persistent metatarsal challenge and two separate severe knee accidents inflicting him to overlook 92 video games for membership and nation over the past three years. Previous to becoming a member of United, he was absent for simply 13 video games throughout the identical timeframe in Amsterdam.
Recurrent accidents hardly ever enhance for a participant approaching the dreaded demise knell of 30 – whereas repeated knee points are a fear.
Moreover, the 5’9 defender stays one thing of an anomaly in English soccer, the place the more and more bodily nature of the Premier League threatens to go away him uncovered. A exceptional mixture of aggression and anticipation helps fight this, however a transition to measurement, pace and energy being paramount presents additional long-term fear for the Argentine.
Martinez’s deal expires in 2027, although the membership retains the suitable to set off an computerized twelve-month extension. Nevertheless, Barcelona are hoping to use this uncertainty in the summertime, when the defender will technically be getting into the ultimate yr of his contract.
Barcelona plot a raid
Spanish outlet Fichajes reveals LaLiga’s champions need to “add a left-footed defender” to Hansi Flick’s squad, with Martinez rising as their first-choice goal.
The report states United might be “obliged to barter” a deal ought to or not it’s offered, as a result of aforementioned contract state of affairs. Barcelona imagine this creates the “preferrred alternative” to accumulate a World Cup-winning defender, whose skillset interprets completely to Spanish soccer.
The Blaugrana are mentioned to be hoping to drive a tough discount “near €30m” and plan to finish the signing after this summer time’s World Cup if “negotiations progress as deliberate”.
Ultimate Ideas
From United’s perspective, the flexibility to increase Martinez’s contract offers the membership a place of energy in negotiations over a participant whose skillset is very valued at Outdated Trafford.
Moreover, the centre-back is taken into account an essential a part of the dressing room, having been a member of Ruben Amorim’s ‘management group’ previous to the Portuguese’s dismissal. He has by no means proven any inclination in direction of leaving, as an alternative resembling one thing of an adopted son for the town of Manchester, with a younger household rising up within the metropolis.
The Purple Devils are unlikely to entertain the exit of their centre-back, who reminded everybody of his talents within the back-to-back victories over Metropolis and Arsenal this month. And had been a €30m (£26m) bid to reach, it could be rejected as shortly as Martinez pings the ball ahead to launch a counter-attack.
Function picture Carl Recine by way of Getty Pictures
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