FC Barcelona faces Levante UD at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium this Saturday (August 23). However, there are several players on the roster who could not be included because they have not been registered by the 'Azulgrana' team, for now, to face the competition.
Among those names is Gerard Martín, who can no longer play with a reserve team registration as he did last season, because he is already 23 years old. Last season, he managed to establish himself as an important player for coach Hansi Flick.
That is why the case of the '35' has become a focus of urgency within the sports management. Already in the press conference prior to the league match against the 'Granotas', the strategist was clear in his desire to have the Catalan defender for the second matchday. However, the club's economic restrictions have frustrated that possibility.
However, the player is confident in continuing his career with the Catalan team and is not interested in changing scenery. He patiently waits for his situation to be resolved.
Gerard Martín's registration, awaiting Oriol Romeu's departure
In this context, according to recent reports, Oriol Romeu's departure, in principle, will allow Barça to use the 'fair play' freed up by his departure to immediately register the native of Esplugues de Llobregat.
The departure of the Ulldecona native should accelerate in the coming hours, since the summer transfer market closes on September 1, and on August 31, the Catalan team will have to face the third matchday of LaLiga 2025/26 against Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas.
It is worth remembering that Oriol Romeu's departure will occur through the termination of his contract, which ends in the summer of 2026. The midfielder is also interested in the move because he knows he is not in Flick's plans.
Gerard Martín, a new option for the defensive zone
After the departure of Íñigo Martínez to Saudi Arabia, Gerard has become the only left-footed defender available in the squad. The now '35', who is expected to be registered in the coming days as a first-team player, has become another option for the defensive zone of the Catalan team, in addition to being Alejandor Balde's alternative at left-back.
And, in addition to being the only left-footed player for this area of the field, the German strategist was already testing him as a defender on the left side in the preseason, where Barça won all three of their matches on Asian soil.
So things are for Gerard Martín, who maintains his confidence in the club, which must also register Roony Bardghji and Wojciech Szczesny. In principle, the registration of these three players will be carried out with the departure, in addition to Oriol Romeu to register the '35', also with the departures of Iñaki Peña and Héctor Fort.