Gerard Martin speaks out on links with West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves
The 23-year-old only made his Barcelona debut in August last year and already has a La Liga and Copa del Rey win on his CV.
The Spain Under-21 international made 42 appearances across all competitions, with 28 coming in La Liga and eight in the Champions League.
How much Martin was involved over the last season was something of a surprise, but it has not been enough for Barcelona to be set on keeping him.
Football Espana report that the left-back could be available for as little as €12m (£10.2m) and that has alerted a number of potential suitors.
West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves have all been linked with a move for the Spaniard, with the price tag no issue for Premier League clubs.
Martin is not talking up a move, though, saying he is only focussed on Barcelona after an encouraging first season in the first team.
'I don't know, these are things that come out,' Martin told Jijantes of the transfer speculation.
'I am happy with my season, and focused on Barcelona. I'm not thinking about anything else, I'm relaxed.'
Martin was in action for Spain Under-21s on Wednesday against Slovakia but has returned from international duty after suffering a fractured hand.
The three Premier League sides linked with Martin are all in need of a new left-back this summer. More Trending
Wolves have sold Rayan Ait-Nouri to Manchester City and will need to replace the Algeria international after selling him for £31.8m.
Bournemouth are yet to complete the sale of Milos Kerkez, but he is expected to make a move to Liverpool this summer in a £45m deal.
After 11 years at West Ham, Aaron Cresswell has left the club this summer, and while he was no longer a regular starter, the Hammers are looking for a replacement.
MORE: Arne Slot has chosen former Arsenal and Barcelona star as new Liverpool assistant
MORE: Manchester United begin talks to sign £84m Chelsea target
MORE: Gabriel urges Arsenal to sign 'phenomenal' £67m transfer target this summer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
a minute ago
- Metro
Mikel Arteta fears eight clubs are in Premier League title race next season
Mikel Arteta reckons there are up to eight clubs ready to challenge for the Premier League title next season, feeling the division is getting ever more competitive. The Gunners have finished second in each of the last three seasons and are desperate to make that final step to title winners in the coming campaign. The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard have been brought in to help them do that, while more arrivals are expected in the coming weeks. Their rivals have also strengthened, though, with champions Liverpool not resting on their laurels by signing the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, with Hugo Ekitike about to follow. That has not dissuaded Arteta of Arsenal's ability to win the title next season, but he admits it will be very difficult. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'Yes I do,' Arteta said when asked if he thinks the Gunners can become Premier League champions. 'It is getting more and more competitive each year. The level is increasing. 'We know that so our demands have to increase as well. But we have also been very active in the market. 'We have to improve the players we already have, which is a massive objective after that. And then, set the right fundamentals and the right principles in pre-season to get the team ready with the best possible shape and availability to start the season.' The Spaniard did not name which clubs he is thinking about when weighing up the title challengers, but does believe there could be up to eight of them battling with Arsenal to lift the trophy. 'Every year we have to see how things develop, but I see the right balance in terms of maturity, experience, youth, hunger – all these ingredients are there,' he said. 'The thing is there are another six, seven, eight clubs in the league that have the right ingredients to win and there is only going to be one winner. 'So we have to focus a lot on the things that we can control, that we can do, to achieve what we want at the end of the season.' Arteta was speaking on Arsenal's pre-season trip to Asia, taking on Newcastle and AC Milan in Singapore. Liverpool 2/1 Arsenal 9/4 Man City 3/1 Chelsea 8/1 Newcastle 28/1 Man Utd 40/1 Tottenham 50/1 Aston Villa 66/1 Brighton 125/1 Nottm Forest 175/1 West Ham 300/1 Bournemouth 300/1 Everton 300/1 Fulham 500/1 Leeds 500/1 Crystal Palace 500/1 Wolves 500/1 Brentford 500/1 Burnley 1000/1 Sunderland 1000/1 Odds courtesy of Betfair He is hoping that deals will be done while he gets back to work on the training pitch and in the dugout, admitting that his squad is short in certain areas. 'There's still a long time in the window and we are seeking still,' he said. 'In terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. We are constantly looking in the market. 'Until that happens, [we] focus on the players we have – and I'm very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.' More Trending Fans were convinced that he dropped something of a hint that the long-awaited deal for Viktor Gyokeres is going to be done soon. Asked how close Arsenal are to signing Gyokeres, Arteta told reporters: 'You know I cannot comment on any player that is not part of our group yet.' The final word is what really got supporters excited. MORE: Aston Villa respond to Man Utd loan offer for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez MORE: Chelsea move ahead of Arsenal in transfer race for 'exceptional' £60m star MORE: Bryan Mbeumo explains Tottenham snub after Man Utd announce £71m new signing
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Hugo Ekitike set to put finishing touches to his big-money Liverpool switch
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike has flown to London to complete his big-money move to Liverpool, the PA news agency understands. Arne Slot's Premier League champions reached a deal with the German club on Monday to sign the 23-year-old for a guaranteed £69million plus a potential £10million in add-ons. Frankfurt granted Ekitike permission to travel to England to complete the deal and the frontman is understood to have headed to the capital rather than Merseyside to complete the deal. The striker is due to undergo his medical and sign a six-year deal before heading to Asia to join his new Liverpool team-mates on their pre-season tour. Sporting director Richard Hughes and some medical staff did not travel with the Reds to Hong Kong on Sunday in order to complete the signing. PA understands Newcastle and Manchester United had been interested in Ekitike, who is set continue Liverpool's summer spending spree. Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in an initial £100m deal that could rise to £116m, while Jeremie Frimpong also joined from them in a £29.5m switch and Milos Kerkez left Bournemouth for £40m. Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Liverpool after agreeing a deal with Valencia last August, along with fellow goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Morgan Gibbs-White's Nottingham Forest future is unclear
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has not travelled with the squad for their pre-season camp in Portugal. His absence is due to a personal reason, not transfer-related, and he is expected to join the team later in the week. Tottenham Hotspur were previously linked with a move for Gibbs-White, reportedly triggering his £60m release clause. Forest accused Spurs of an allegedly illegal approach, claiming direct contact with the player before the club.
