Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has presented the club’s board with two critical demands to bolster the squad.
After a productive pre-season, including matches against FC Seoul and Vissel Kobe, Flick has turned his attention to strengthening the squad.
While the club secured a top-class goalkeeper in Joan Garcia and a dynamic winger in Marcus Rashford, the German tactician is now pressing the Barcelona board to address a critical gap in the team’s defensive line.
The unexpected departure of veteran defender Inigo Martinez to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia has left a void in Barcelona’s backline. Martinez, a cornerstone of last season’s defense, bid farewell to his teammates, prompting Flick to demand a versatile replacement.
According to Diario Sport, Hansi Flick is keen on signing a player capable of playing both centre-back and full-back roles, a profile that aligns with the club’s need for flexibility amid limited resources.
This request comes after Flick had already flagged the lack of depth in the full-back positions earlier in the window.
Barcelona’s financial situation remains a hurdle.
The club must return to La Liga’s 1:1 financial fair play rule before considering new signings. Flick’s earlier pursuits of players like Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo were thwarted by high costs, forcing the board to explore cost-effective options.
During pre-season, Flick experimented with players like Gerard Martin, a natural full-back, in a centre-back role, hinting at the type of multi-positional player he envisions.
For now, Flick’s immediate focus is on registering new signings, including goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, before the season kicks off. However, he has made it clear to the board that a versatile defender is a priority if funds become available.
With Martinez’s exit disrupting plans, Flick’s demand underscores his intent to build a robust and adaptable squad to compete on all fronts, provided Barcelona’s finances can support his vision.
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