Barça's plan so sign a left centre-back changing due to salary limits
LaLiga's regulations could scupper the signing of Iñigo Martinez in the summer
FC Barcelona are already outlining their squad for the 2023/24 season, conditioned by the tight economic limits that LaLiga can impose on them, as the league's president Javier Tebas has already announced, and they are changing their strategy with regard to Íñigo Martínez and the possible reinforcement at left centre-back.
The people in charge at Barça -- president Joan Laporta, vice-president Rafael Yuste and sporting directors Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff -- have had to modify their initial plans, also to complete the list of defenders. The arrival of Íñigo Martínez would involve a high salary and they are studying the issue of the salary limit.
There is the conviction that this is an important signing, but the club must study whether they will be able to register him and Marcos Alonso is a possible left-sided centre-back after his good performances. In January, the club ruled out signing a left-sided centre-back after the departure of Piqué because of Alonso's performances.
At the moment, the starting central defensive tandem consists of Ronald Araujo on the right and Andreas Christensen on the left. Jules Koundé has adapted to the right flank, although he also plays in his natural position at times, as was the case in the last Copa del Rey clásico against Real Madrid.
Alonso over Garcia
Eric Garcia is also in the mix as the fourth centre-back, but in recent times Xavi Hernandez has preferred to go for Alonso to take over from Christensen at left-back, and with good results.
The coach has two other left-backs, Alejandro Balde and Jordi Alba and, although Alonso feels more comfortable in his natural position on the left flank, he has performed well when he has played in the centre of defence, forming a tandem with a team-mate or as a third centre-back when Barça have resorted to a back three.
The conditions imposed by Tebas and La Liga on the salary cap and the margin for new signings are forcing Barça to opt to renew players who in principle had finished their cycle at Camp Nou. This is the case of Sergi Roberto, who signed an extension on Friday, and it could be the case of Sergio Busquets.
Everything also points to the continuity of Alba, who has a contract until 2024. Alonso also recently extended his contract until 2025. In the event that Alba does not continue, a centre-back would need to be signed.
In these circumstances, the signing of Athletic Club centre-back Martínez, who is out of contract on 30 June, is still up in the air, and who has already received an offer from Atlético de Madrid.
Barça, for now, have continued to maintain contact with the defender's camp and there is a loose agreement with him and a certain moral commitment to bring him in, but the unknown salary limit leaves everything open and the player also wants to finalise his future as soon as possible.
