Barcelona identify Ajax defender as Gerard Pique’s replacement – report

Barcelona have set their sights on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez for the summer as they prepare for life beyond Gerard Pique, claims a report from SPORT, relayed via Fichajes.

It’s no secret that despite being one of the club’s longest-serving players, Gerard Pique’s Barcelona future beyond the ongoing season looks bleak. Although the veteran defender has a contract until 2024, at 35 years of age, he remains a decrepit component of a squad that has an average age of around 25.

And hence comes a need of signing a centre-back who can arrive with the aim of taking over the mantle. ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’, as he is known, Lisandro Martinez is no slouch, averaging an impressive 1.9 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game in the Eredivisie.

His numbers on the field aren’t the only attractive propositions. As quoted by Fichajes, the 24-year-old Argentinian will not cost Barcelona as much as other defenders in the market. Furthermore, his salary isn’t high either, meaning that it’s a win-win situation for Barcelona from all fronts, as Martinez outrightly fits the economic conditions of the team.

Barcelona are expected to do some serious business in the summer. While the likes of Erling Haaland and Serge Gnabry are some targets that touted to boost the offence, equal work is being put by the team management to brawn a rather bleak defence before the start of the next season.

For that, apart from Martinez, Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are thought to be potential targets as well. While there’s nothing concrete, one can expect serious business by the end of the season. By then, the club hierarchy will a clarity on which player the team should bet their money on.

In the meantime, Barcelona also have to factor in the interest of potential suitors. As reported by Duncan Castles on his Transfer Window Podcast, the Ajax defender is also a subject of interest for Newcastle United. 

One good for Barcelona is that Martinez is someone who is entirely out of the league for the English Premier League side. This effectively means even if there’s an offer, the 24-year-old might as well prefer the Catalans over the Magpies.