Barcelona have completed the registration of Gerard Martín as a first team player. The 23 year old left back is now eligible for Hansi Flick’s squad to face Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas this weekend. He will wear the No 18 shirt.
Sources have confirmed to Blaugranagram that the club opened the needed salary margin with Iñaki Peña’s loan to Elche, followed by further outgoing moves this week. According to SPORT, Jan Virgili was sold to Mallorca for 4 million for 50 percent of his rights and that Oriol Romeu’s contract was terminated, which helped finish the process. Mundo Deportivo added that Barça also had a guarantee plan ready in case it was required.
Martín chose No 18, a number closely linked to Jordi Alba, his reference at the position. Last season he played with 35 while registered with Barça Atlètic and fought his way into Flick’s plans.
He could not be registered with the reserve team this season because he is 23 years old, which meant his registration depended on space being created in the senior list. Flick pushed for a quick resolution since Martín is the primary backup to Alejandro Balde. The coach also tested him as a left sided centre back in preseason, a role that became more relevant after Íñigo Martínez’s departure.
There is still work to finish the squad sheet for September. Wojciech Szczesny and Roony Bardghji are the remaining pending first team registrations, with the goalkeeper viewed as the immediate priority because Joan García is the only senior keeper currently on the list.
