Barça keeps reorganizing its squad with an eye on Flick's new project, and one of the goals is to make a quality leap at left back. Alejandro Balde is the undisputed starter, but after a season with physical ups and downs, the sporting management considers it key to sign a reliable replacement. To achieve this, a very clear roadmap had been drawn: sell Gerard Martín and go after an elite reinforcement.
The club needs to free up space and generate income to be able to finalize new signings. The sale of Gerard, valued at about €15 million, was going to be one of the first key operations of the summer. However, plans have gone awry in the last few hours and Deco has a very important problem to solve ahead of the market.
He stands his ground at Barça
According to the latest reports, Gerard Martín has no intention of leaving Barça, despite strong interest from two Premier League clubs. Bournemouth and Wolverhampton have shown serious interest in the young left back and would be willing to pay the amount Barça considers appropriate. Deco had planned to use that income to pursue the signing of Alejandro Grimaldo, one of the best fullbacks in the continental elite and with a past at La Masia.
But Gerard has been clear with the club: he doesn't want to move. His goal is to succeed at Barça, the team of his life, and he's not willing to listen to offers, no matter how attractive they may be. This stance has brought the Grimaldo operation to a halt and creates a strategic conflict for sporting planning.
No sales mean no signings. Without signings, Flick won't be able to have the profiles he has requested.
Deco looks for solutions
Gerard's refusal further congests the left flank, where Balde is the starter and there are academy players drawing attention. In this scenario, the amount of minutes available for Gerard will be minimal, and even so, the player doesn't want to leave. For Deco, this represents a serious setback, because he needs to finalize operations before the start of preseason and free up the wage bill.
The Catalan club doesn't rule out opening a new conversation with the player's camp, trying to make him see that his role will be very limited if he stays. Although they value his attitude and desire to succeed at Camp Nou, the team's needs point in another direction. For now, Gerard remains firm and his decision delays one of the key moves of the summer.