Overview
- Barcelona sent a representative to watch Lisandro Martínez play for Argentina at La Bombonera on November 13 as part of a January search for centre-back reinforcements.
- Martínez’s Manchester United deal runs until 2027 with a club-held option for a further year, so any move in January would need United’s cooperation or the club to activate that extension.
- United paused talks over a new Martínez contract in October after the defender publicly criticised football director Jason Wilcox and was later fined following internal discussions.
- Reports from Argentine and British outlets say Martínez has struggled for form this season, received mixed match ratings, picked up a red card against Chelsea, and drawn dressing-room scrutiny for his leadership style.
- Barcelona’s interest is described as exploratory because the club faces financial limits, other teams are also linked, and Mauricio Pochettino’s recent arrival at Old Trafford could influence whether Martínez stays or leaves in January.