MAN UNITED SECURES £80M SOUTH AMERICAN STAR AMID DEFENSIVE SHUFFLE — BARCELONA EYE LISANDRO MARTINEZ
Manchester United has officially completed the signing of a marquee South American talent in a deal reportedly worth £80 million, adding another high-profile addition to their first-team squad.
The announcement comes alongside confirmation of a first-team departure, signaling a busy period of squad restructuring at Old Trafford.
Amid these changes, Spanish giants FC Barcelona have reportedly identified United’s Lisandro Martinez as an ideal candidate to bolster their defense.
The Catalan club is believed to be preparing a summer approach, intending to exploit the defender’s current contract situation to secure a potentially bargain-priced transfer.
Nicknamed “The Butcher,” Martinez has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most technically proficient centre-backs.
Known for his composure on the ball and incisive passing ability, the Argentine has frequently demonstrated an aptitude for breaking opposition lines with precision distribution.
Pep Guardiola, following Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City in 2024, described Martinez as one of the top five centre-backs in the world, highlighting his defensive performance in marking Erling Haaland out of the game.
Guardiola also emphasized the Argentine’s ball-playing capabilities, which were pivotal in United’s 2-1 victory and have been consistently influential since his £57 million arrival from Ajax in 2022.
Despite his talent, Martinez’s tenure at Old Trafford has been marred by injuries. Persistent metatarsal problems and two significant knee injuries have caused him to miss a total of 92 matches over the past three years, a stark contrast to the 13 absences he endured during the same period at Ajax.
Such recurrent injuries, particularly as he nears 30, raise long-term concerns about durability, especially given the Premier League’s physical demands.
While his combination of aggression, anticipation, and technical intelligence offsets some risks, questions about his adaptability to size, speed, and strength remain.
Martinez’s current contract extends until 2027, with Manchester United retaining the option for a twelve-month automatic extension.
However, Barcelona see this as an opportunity. Reports suggest LaLiga champions are targeting a left-footed central defender and consider Martinez their prime option.
Fichajes claims that United could be compelled to negotiate due to his approaching contract expiry, presenting the Blaugrana with a “perfect chance” to secure a World Cup-winning defender whose style is well-suited to Spanish football.
They are reportedly aiming for a fee around €30 million and hope to finalize the deal after the upcoming World Cup, should negotiations progress smoothly.
From United’s perspective, the contract extension option provides leverage, allowing the club to retain control over one of their most valued defensive assets. Beyond his on-field contributions, Martinez is seen as a central figure in the dressing room.
A member of Ruben Amorim’s leadership group before the Portuguese coach’s departure, he has consistently displayed loyalty to Manchester United.
Off the field, he has settled in Manchester with his young family, further cementing his ties to the club and city, making any potential departure both a sporting and cultural consideration.
