Key Takeaways
- Aritz Elustondo insists Álex Remiro, Jon Martín and Mikel Oyarzabal will stay at Real Sociedad
- Barcelona must pay release clauses to sign any of the trio, which their budget cannot cover
- The Catalans view the three players as solutions for goalkeeping, defensive and attacking needs
Barcelona’s summer recruitment plans have suffered a significant setback following strong comments from Real Sociedad’s club captain. The Catalan giants had marked three Basque players as priority targets ahead of the transfer window, but securing their signatures now appears extremely difficult.
The Blaugrana had identified goalkeeper Álex Remiro as a potential successor to both Wojciech Szczęsny and Marc-André ter Stegen. Additionally, defender Jon Martín featured on their shortlist as a backup option for Alessandro Bastoni, whilst forward Mikel Oyarzabal emerged as an alternative target should Atlético Madrid refuse to sell Julián Álvarez.
However, Aritz Elustondo has effectively closed the door on any potential deals. Speaking to Cadena SER, as reported by Sport, the La Real captain delivered a clear message regarding the future of his teammates.
“Remiro will sign a new contract and finish his career here,” Elustondo stated firmly. “Jon Martín will become a legend at this club, and regarding Oyarzabal, Barcelona cannot do anything to take him.”
These comments likely reflect the official stance of the San Sebastián club’s board. Real Sociedad value all three men highly and have previously informed Barcelona that Martín’s departure would only occur if his release clause is activated. Similar conditions almost certainly apply to both Remiro and Oyarzabal.
Financial constraints continue to limit Barcelona’s spending power. Even if the club successfully returns to La Liga’s 1:1 financial rule this summer, they lack the funds to routinely pay release clauses. This economic reality makes the acquisition of the Real Sociedad trio virtually impossible.
Despite these obstacles, the Camp Nou hierarchy remains interested. Oyarzabal could provide an excellent long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, whilst both Martín and Remiro would strengthen the squad depth. Moves could still materialise if the club prioritises these positions, though the financial hurdles remain substantial.