Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reportedly shut down the exits of three key players during the summer transfer window’s closing moments. While Barcelona brought in some great talents to kick off a new era this season, Flick ensured that the Catalan giants did not part ways with players including Eric Garcia, Inigo Martinez and Ansu Fati. A new report from MARCA has now claimed that the issue of injuries at the club has ‘affected’ their departures. The setbacks of Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Christensen, Gavi and Fati have played a great role in these final decisions. Due to the fitness situation at the club, Flick has ‘vetoed’ the departures of these players, despite receiving transfer offers for them.
Barcelona are understood to have initially considered getting rid of either Eric Garcia or Inigo Martinez this season. The primary reason was both footballers occupying a similar position on the pitch. Garcia spent the previous season in Girona on loan. The Whites and Reds wanted him right from the get-go this time, even requesting Barcelona for a potential transfer. But Ronaldo Araujo’s injury and Garcia’s versatility to play as a pivot led to the club turning down all offers. Porto also, reportedly, reached out in the last days of the transfer market to sign the centre back but the answer was negative.
In Inigo Martinez’s case, the chances of his exit were considerable at the beginning of the summer. The primary reason was the failure to register him for the current season to maintain Financial Fair Play. A Saudi Arabian club, reportedly, approached Barcelona with an offer but Hansi Flick and Deco rejected it. Having seen his performances in the recent training sessions, the German manager was firmly against Inigo’s exit.
As for Ansu Fati, the youngster was initially seen as a prime candidate to exit Barcelona in June. But Fati’s injury made his departure quite complicated. There were still enough clubs, such as Benfica and Porto, who were willing to sign him. Yet, Hansi Flick made the final call to keep him at the club given that Barcelona had no reinforcements for the left-wing position. The German head is also understood to be confident that the young talent will be able to recover his form this season.
Barcelona are currently leading the La Liga race, sitting four points clear of defending champions Real Madrid at the top. They will next take on Girona in the Spanish top flight this weekend.
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