FC Barcelona saw Inigo Martinez leave the club to join Al Nassr in the summer. The Spanish veteran, who performed exceedingly well in Hansi Flick’s first season at the Catalan club, decided to see out his career in the cash-rich league.
While the player is well within his rights to do so, the club made a mistake in failing to reinforce the position and fill the void left by the Basque defender. This is an issue that needs to be addressed in the near future.
One defender who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona is Nico Schlotterbeck. According to Fichajes, Hansi Flick wants to try to convince the 25-year-old German to choose the Catalan club as his next destination.
Schlotterbeck has a contract with Dortmund until 2027, and an extension does not appear to be in his plans. Having already outgrown the Yellow-Black, it is time for the German to move to a club that constantly challenges for silverware.
A left-footed, modern-day central defender who is as good with the ball at his feet as he is with his defensive duties, signing him would be a no-brainer for Barcelona. Schlotterbeck would be the perfect ally to Pau Cubarsi in defence.
Everything points to Barcelona making a concrete effort to sign Schlotterbeck in the upcoming summer. It is a signing that could immediately change the outlook of the club’s backline and bolster it for seasons to come.
