Barcelona star could see major playing time in a new role this season | OneFootball

A member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona could be in line for serious minutes in a new role across the season ahead.

This comes owing to developments in Catalunya’s capital over the last 24 hours.

Barcelona, of course, are all set to bid farewell to a player who played nothing short of a pivotal role in Hansi Flick’s XI this past season.

After seeking out one final pay day in the twilight years of his career, Iñigo Martínez is expected to be unveiled as a new Al-Nassr player at any moment.

As much leaves something of a hole at the heart of the Blaugrana’s backline, one which Ronald Araújo will be expected to slot into.

With rotation options reduced, though, evidence from Barca’s pre-season tour of Asia strongly suggests that Gerard Martín could be made use of in a central role.

The 23-year-old was tested at centre-back in two of the Catalans’ three friendly fixtures in Asia, and did not look at all out of place.

Left-footed, and boasting the trust of boss Flick, Martín could in turn spend as much of the 2025/26 season lining out at centre-half as full-back.

Conor Laird – GSFN