Lisandro Martínez closest to strengthening FC Barcelona's defense in January

Lisandro Martínez, the Argentine defender of Manchester United, emerges as one of the top options available for FC Barcelona to bolster their defense during the upcoming winter transfer window, given the complicated situation he faces within the English club and the approaching end of his contract.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport", Lisandro Martínez, who is 28 years old, has a contract with Manchester United that ends on June 30, 2027. This makes the winter transfer market a suitable opportunity for the English club to benefit financially from his departure instead of losing him for free in the summer.

The Argentine defender faced sharp criticism in England following his comments after Manchester United's loss to Atlético in the UEFA Champions League, when he said: "We missed investment in the summer. Frankly, I expected more from our sporting director," remarks that angered several former club stars, including Wayne Erik.

According to the report, Lisandro Martínez is open to a new experience away from Old Trafford, and he is attracting interest from Atlético, as well as FC Barcelona, alongside other options from Italian clubs. However, the player leans towards the idea of playing in Spain.

Despite the Argentine defender's market value being around €45 million according to Transfermarkt, Manchester United may have to accept a lower offer in January, especially since renewing his contract seems unlikely given the current disagreements with the club's management.

FC Barcelona continues to search for a new centre-back, especially after injuries have hit the backline, including Erik, Andreas Christensen, Chadi Espart, and Jules Koundé.

Lisandro Martínez is the closest to strengthening the team in January due to his reasonable price, alongside the player's desire to play in Spain, as well as his salary that the club can afford. Meanwhile, Deco, the sporting director of FC Barcelona, is closely monitoring Martínez's situation, considering it an opportunity available under financial terms that may be less costly than other options on the table.