Barcelona are eyeing a move for a €50m-rated Real Sociedad defender as they look to reinforce their backline.
The club is still prioritising a move for Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, but with the negotiations around that deal uncertain, they are now targeting a cheaper, long‑term alternative who fits the same profile and can be slotted into the squad at a similar cost.
Barcelona’s director of football, Deco, has already opened informal talks with the player’s agent, marking the first clear step towards a potential transfer dossier reaching the boardroom.
The 50m Real Sociedad defender in question is Jon Martín, the Spanish centre‑back who has broken through as a key piece of La Real’s defence under Pellegrino Matarazzo, as reported by Fichajes.
The 1.87‑metre‑tall stopper enjoys a €50 million release clause, recently inserted after a contract extension until 2031 that underlines the club’s long‑term view of him as a pillar of their back line.
Barcelona sees Martín as a mobile, left‑footed centre‑back with strong aerial ability, composed ball‑playing skills, and the physicality to handle top‑level La Liga duels, qualities that make him an ideal rotational partner for the first‑choice pairing while also serving as a project for the future.
Real Sociedad, however, has no intention of letting him go cheaply, aware that his standout performances in the second half of the season—including a commanding display in the Copa del Rey final—have pushed his value into the 50‑million‑euro bracket.
Alongside Barcelona, Real Madrid is also monitoring his progress, turning the young defender into a coveted La Liga asset.
For Barcelona, the Martín route provides a structured alternative in case the Bastoni plan stalls, giving them a realistic chance to secure a high‑potential, affordable centre‑back who can slot straight into the project without derailing the club’s wage and registration framework.
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