Almería was on the verge of returning to LaLiga in 25/26. Joan Ferrer's team played in the promotion 'play off', but fell in the semi-final against Real Oviedo (3-2 on aggregate). This forces the Indálico team to dispense with its main figures, including Marc Pubill.
The 21-year-old defender, from Espanyol's youth academy, is one of the 'low cost' alternatives that FC Barcelona has on its radar as far as full-backs are concerned. The player from Terrassa was already in the culé orbit last summer and the latest information puts him back as a possible 'hidden' player for the blaugrana defense.
Although Barça has no doubts about the continuity of Jules Koundé, the Frenchman does not have, for the moment, a 100% reliable substitute in the squad. Eric García did a good job of covering for the Parisian in the last month of the season, but Hansi Flick prefers to sign another natural right-back.
Héctor Fort's departure, key to Barça's interest in Marc Pubill
And, although the culés have Héctor Fort, the 18-year-old defender will be one of the discards for next season. The '32' has only accumulated 710 minutes of action spread over 21 games (5 as a starter) and, understanding that his contract ends in 2026, the club prefers to sell him for a figure close to 10 million euros.
This move would open up a place in the squad for Pubill, although Almería refuses to negotiate below the price of his termination clause. The 'albirrojo' team is asking for 15 'kilos' net for the Catalan defender, an affordable amount, but high for a Second Division player.
In 24/25, Marc played 40 games (3,107 minutes) in which he scored 1 goal and 5 assists. His contribution was not enough to return Almería to the golden category of Iberian football, but it was enough to awaken the interest of Barça and other big clubs in Europe.
Italy and Germany, possible alternative destinations for Marc Pubill
In addition to the blaugrana team, Italian media point to Marc Pubill as one of the alternatives that Antonio Conte has on his radar for Naples. The current Serie A champion has Giovanni Di Lorenzo as the first option for the right side, but the Partenopei captain does not have a reliable replacement.
Pasquale Mazzocchi is the other option available, one of the possible discards from the team this summer. The other big name in Calcio attentive to the future of the Almería defender is AC Milan, who this summer begins a new cycle with Massimiliano Allegri. The 'rossoneri' incorporated Kylie Walker in January, but the Englishman did not have an outstanding performance in his loan spell.
Another of the teams that could go for Pubill is Stuttgart. Sebastian Hoeneß's team will not play in European competitions (like Milan) next season and hope to strengthen their defense, after conceding 53 goals in the last Bundesliga (third worst record in the league's top-10).
Therefore, if Barça really intends to go for Marc, they must activate contacts with the player and Almería shortly. The culés also keep open the possibility of signing another left-back, as long as Gerard Martín decides to try his luck at another club.
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