Following their acquisition of promising talent Dro Fernandez from Barcelona in January, Paris Saint-Germain has now turned its attention to another young star, this time from Real Madrid. While Barcelona was disappointed to lose one of their top prospects, PSG faces a tougher challenge in convincing Real Madrid to part with Joan Martinez.
According to Marca, PSG’s Sporting Director Luis Campos views Martinez as a potential acquisition this summer. The club has been monitoring his development for a considerable period and is aware of the terms of his contract, which runs until 2029 and includes a €150 million release clause. This means PSG would need to negotiate directly with Real Madrid to secure Martinez’s signature.
Joan Martinez’s Future at Real Madrid Uncertain
However, the Madrid-based publication suggests that Martinez’s long-term position at Real Madrid is not guaranteed for the upcoming season. Similar to fellow Castilla talents Diego Aguado and Victor Valdepenas, Martinez could be permitted to leave this summer. This scenario is contingent on Real Madrid securing their desired five centre-back options for the first team next season, with Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen currently being the only confirmed players in that role.
Real Madrid has a history of selling young prospects for lower fees, often including a 50% sell-on clause and a buy-back option, as seen with players like Jacobo Ramon and Nico Paz. However, in Martinez’s case, Real Madrid would likely only consider a substantial transfer fee and would not be inclined to include the typical sell-on or buy-back clauses in any deal with PSG.
Martinez’s Progress Has Slowed
Two summers ago, Martinez began preseason with the senior squad at the young age of 16, but his progress was significantly hampered by an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for a large portion of the season. While it was anticipated that he would be gradually integrated into the first team this season, there have been instances where Aguado and Valdepenas have been favored. Despite a solid performance with Castilla, Martinez’s opportunities in the first team next season remain uncertain.