Mundo Deportivo: Barcelona Fail to Sign New Centre-Back on Deadline Day, Gerard Martin Set for More Opportunities

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona failed to sign a new centre-back on deadline day, giving Gerard Martin more opportunities.

Barcelona failed to bring in a left-footed centre-back before the transfer market closed, a situation that has fundamentally changed Gerard Martin's circumstances. In recent days, Barcelona attempted to advance a move for Twente defender Neeskens, but the Eredivisie club rejected Barcelona's €8 million offer. The deal was ultimately not completed, and Barcelona's sporting department decided not to add a new centre-back before the deadline.

This decision is particularly significant amid the departures in defence. Alvaro Cortes moved to Royal Antwerp, Araujo joined Liverpool on loan, and Hansi Flick's defensive options have therefore been greatly reduced.

Cubarsi is the undisputed starter in defence, while the other centre-back position remains open for competition. Christensen and Gerard Martin are currently the two main candidates to partner the academy graduate, while Eric Garcia has appeared more often at right-back. Kounde can also fill in at centre-back, but he is more of a rotation option. This situation gives Gerard Martin an important opportunity to establish himself in a position that was not his main role a year ago.

Gerard Martin has already shown that he does not need much time to adapt. Two seasons ago, he entered the first team as a left-back, but he eventually earned more playing time through his role at centre-back and became a reliable option trusted by Flick.

The 2025/26 season is especially important for Gerard Martin. He made 51 appearances throughout the season (32 as a centre-back and 19 as a left-back), with a total of 2,416 minutes played. These figures reflect how he gradually earned more trust as the season progressed. His adaptation has been gradual, and Flick has discovered a different possibility in him — a player capable of performing in a position that is not the primary role of his career. Gerard Martin joined Barcelona from Cornella as a left-back, but eventually found new space at centre-back.

His physical attributes, defensive ability in open spaces and continued improvement convinced the German coach. As time went on, he gradually received more playing time and ultimately proved that he could reach a high level in a position with very little margin for error.

The start of this season has also sent a clear signal. In the 0-5 win over Elche, Gerard Martin partnered Christensen at centre-back, while Javi Espart played as left-back. Against Athletic Club, Gerard Martin again appeared at centre-back, this time alongside Cubarsi. This shows that Gerard Martin is no longer just an option on the flank; the German coach now considers him a genuine candidate at centre-back. After the transfer deadline, his role could become even greater.

If Barcelona had successfully signed a centre-back, he would have faced stronger competition. But Barcelona ultimately made no signing, and Gerard Martin's situation is now completely different from a few weeks ago. Cubarsi remains the undisputed starter in defence, but the position alongside him is still undecided. Gerard Martin knows what competing for a place means, having done so successfully last season in a completely new position.

After the deadline, Barcelona still have not found the left-footed centre-back they were looking for. Gerard Martin, however, is not afraid.