Barcelona keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon's Gelson Martins
The winger was wanted by Real Madrid last year and the big clubs are interested in him
Los Blancos tried to sign him in 2014
Sporting Lisbon keep bringing through wingers, following their tradition. Regardless of the fact they are a species in extinction. The Portuguese club had Figo and after that Simao, Cristiano, Quaresma and Nani, and now they have Gelson Martins on the right flank.
At 22 years old he has drawn attention from Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona had a chance to take him in 2012, with Sporting going through a tough time financially and owing Barcelona around 1 million euros for the transfer of Jeffren Suarez.
Instead they offered Barcelona to take some youth players, with the Catalans opting for Edgar Ie and Agostinho Ca. Madrid wanted him two years ago but Sporting would not let him go, with Martins in the first team already. He performed brilliantly against Los Blancos in the Champions League at the Bernabeu. He ran riot against Marcelo.
Originario del archipiélago de Cabo Verde, antigua colonia portuguesa, creció tratando de imitar las bicicletas de Robinho."Esquivaba a otros chicos en la calle, regateaba piedras y hasta macetas de barro", explicaba hace dos años en una entrevista a la federación de su país.
In Lisbon Jordi Alba did well against him and controlled him. However Martins is looking to get back to his best again at Camp Nou on Tuesday. He is the top assist provider for his team with eight, and he has scored five goals in all competitions.
At Sporting he has a release clause of 60m euros and a contract until 2022, which has not stopped various sides like Barcelona, Madrid, Man United and Liverpool from maintaining their interest.
Barcelona's Valverde will see at Camp Nou if the hype around Gelson Martins is justified.
