A few hours ago, FC Barcelona announced the renewal of Gerard Martín until 2028, but the reality is that he could quickly find himself without a spot in the first team. Hansi Flick has given him some importance, but he doesn't fully convince at the moment, even though his potential is highly noted. The plan is clear: bring in a substitute as soon as possible who can put pressure on Balde, seeking a loan for the youth player.
El Nacional informed the offer Barça received for next summer: Mitchel Bakker, a left-back from Lille, who has wore the jerseys of PSG and Ajax. At 24 years old, he has extensive experience at the elite level and is considered an interesting profile to give Balde some rest. He is a low-cost alternative who has left a good impression in his appearances in the Champions League against Madrid and Liverpool.
The confidence in Gerard Martín is total, as demonstrated by his renewal, but signing another left-back to seek a loan is not ruled out. At Barça, he can't count on all the minutes that would be desirable at his 22 years, and the idea is clear: that he can go out to play elsewhere. In Spain, there are several teams interested in his loan, who would be willing to make room for him starting next season.
Barça Finds the La Masia Gem Who Could 'oust' Gerard Martín
Having closed this renewal, Barça has secured Gerard Martín's future for the coming years, ensuring he wouldn't leave for free this summer. However, it seems he is not considered a regular in the starting line-ups for the coming years. Besides Mitchel Bakker, there is a left-back in the lower categories with a lot of potential who has caught Hansi Flick's attention: Jofre Torrents.
At 17 years old, Jofre Torrents stands out with Juvenil A, and everyone at La Masia knows that he will eventually reach the first team. He is a fast defender, with power, and can perform well both in attack and defense. Despite having received many offers from abroad, he has never doubted that his present and future lie with his beloved Barça.
He has the renewal prepared for the coming years, with everything agreed upon: only the signature is missing. He is considered ready for anything and could be seen debuting with Barça's first team before the end of 2025...