Spanish midfielder eyed by Barcelona

Barcelona set their sights on Spanish midfielder as the Catalan giants intensify pursuit of a homegrown La Liga talent for midfield reinforcement

With Joao Cancelo the sole senior arrival so far, the club’s recruitment team is now scanning the domestic market for technically gifted midfielders who can grow into Hansi Flick’s high-tempo, possession‑driven system.

The latest name on the radar is Racing Santander’s 18-year-old midfield prospect Sergio Martínez, a left-footed central midfielder who has already broken into the first team in LaLiga Hypermotion.

Martínez has made ten senior appearances this season, registering one assist and displaying maturity in build-up, press resistance, and vision between the lines.

Barcelona sees him as a long-term interior option who could initially develop with Barça Atlètic while being monitored closely by Flick’s staff.

Competition, though, is intense. Villarreal are also keen, and both clubs are reportedly willing to propose the same formula: a loan with an option to buy, placing him in their respective reserve sides.

From abroad, Hoffenheim, Red Bull Salzburg, and Club Brugge are tracking the youngster as well, attracted by his blend of technique and work rate.

This multi-club interest underlines how quickly Martínez’s stock has risen since his breakthrough in Cantabria.

Racing anticipated this surge and moved early. In November, the club renewed its contract until 2029, inserting a €3 million release clause that gives it leverage in any negotiation.

For Barcelona, that figure is affordable if they truly believe he can be molded into a future first-teamer, especially amid multiple departures from the reserve midfield.

The operation would fit the pattern seen with other youth moves this window: controlled fees, clear development pathway, and strong upside.

Whether Barça decides to formalise their interest with a concrete offer, however, will depend on how they prioritise this profile against other pressing needs in their academy and first-team structures.