Barcelona set to sign Espanyol midfielder on a free transfer for the reserve team – report | OneFootball

Earlier in the summer, Barcelona stirred the pot in Catalonia by bringing in Joan Garcia, one of Espanyol’s most talented players in recent years, by paying his release clause.

The move caused quite the backlash among the Espanyol fans and club, who were not too happy with Garcia joining a direct rival.

However, Barcelona’s endeavour to tap into Espanyol’s growing list of talented players has not stopped yet, with the club now set to sign one of their midfielders.

Roger Martinez to join Barcelona

According to Pericos Marca (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Barcelona are all set to acquire the services of Roger Martinez this summer.

The young midfielder is currently a free agent after his contract with Espanyol ran down earlier this month.

Martinez will directly join Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic team to strengthen the club’s reserve side after they were relegated last season.

A central midfielder by trade, Martinez played for Lugo on loan last season, making quite an impression with a total of 35 appearances.

Roger Martinez could be a major signing for Juliano Belletti’s team (Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images for Budweiser)

Martinez has played for Espanyol’s senior side four times as well, but left at the end of last season to kickstart a new chapter in his career.

That new chapter will begin in Barcelona, where he will directly join the Barça Atletic and compete for a place in the starting XI.

Considering the way Barcelona youth players have earned promotion to the senior side, Martinez may have a strong chance of making a breakthrough if he can truly make a lasting impression under Juliano Belletti next season.

One of Barça Atletic’s new signings, Roony Bardghji, has already impressed coach Hansi Flick and his staff with his performances in pre-season.

There is no reason why Roger Martinez can’t do the same, although the midfielder may have to start things at a more granular level than Bardghji, who was directly given a chance to train with the senior players.