FC Barcelona has set its sights on Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, with a reported valuation of around €40 million circulating as the potential price tag for the Argentine defender. The Catalan club is looking to strengthen its backline under manager Hansi Flick, and a player entering the twilight of his current deal presents exactly the kind of opportunity Barcelona’s front office tends to pounce on.

Martínez, who joined Manchester United from Ajax on July 27, 2022, for a fee in the range of £47-49 million plus £8.5 million in add-ons, signed a five-year contract that runs through June 30, 2027. He’s entering his final year, which means United’s leverage is shrinking by the month.

The numbers game

Valuations for the 28-year-old have ranged anywhere from €30 million to €55 million, depending on who you ask. The €40 million figure has emerged as a frequently cited middle ground, a number that would represent a meaningful discount from what United originally paid in pounds.

Barcelona’s internal assessments reportedly suggest a deal could be feasible closer to the €30 million mark. United, unsurprisingly, would prefer the conversation to start much higher.

No formal bid has been submitted. Manchester United has publicly stated its intention to extend Martínez’s contract and resist any sale.

Why Barcelona wants Martínez

Born on January 18, 1998, the Argentine made his name at Ajax as a ball-playing center-back who could also slot in at left-back when needed. His versatility was a major selling point when United came calling in the summer of 2022, and it remains one now.

Martínez’s time at Old Trafford has been disrupted by injuries across multiple seasons, but when fit, he’s shown exactly why United spent nearly £60 million to bring him in. He’s aggressive in the tackle, composed on the ball, and brings an intensity that fits naturally into a high-pressing system, precisely the kind Flick employs at Barcelona.

Barcelona has historically valued left-footed center-backs who can carry possession out of defense. Martínez fits that profile almost perfectly, standing around 5’9″.

With only one year left on his deal, United faces a classic dilemma: sell now for a reasonable fee, or risk losing him for significantly less, or even for free, in 12 months.

What this means for both clubs

Reports from February 2026 suggest Martínez may be open to the move. Playing for Barcelona under Flick, competing for La Liga and Champions League titles, represents a significant opportunity for the Argentine.

Contract dynamics increasingly drive valuations in football’s transfer market. A player worth €55 million with three years remaining becomes a €30-40 million proposition with one year left.