Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly holding discussions with fellow La Liga outfit Athletic Club for 31-year-old Spanish defender Inigo Martinez.
According to Spanish journalist Jose Manuel Monje, Barcelona’s director of football Mateu Alemany has contacted Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte to discuss a move for Inigo Martinez. The 31-year-old is keen on joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
Inigo Martinez has spent his entire playing career in the Basque Country. But he has enjoyed the best phase of his professional life since joining Athletic Club from fellow La Liga mainstay Real Sociedad four years ago. At the same time, Martinez has established a foothold in the Spanish national team.
The 31-year-old has turned out 158 times for Athletic Club, chipping in with six goals and seven assists. But Martinez faces an uncertain future at San Mames after entering the final year of his contract with the Basque outfit. Such a situation has captured the attention of one of the biggest teams in La Liga – FC Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona comes in the wake of rising competition in the race to sign Jules Kounde. Barcelona and Chelsea are vying for the signature of the Sevilla defender, with recent reports claiming that the Blues were on the verge of securing the services of the 23-year-old.
But the latest suggestions point at Barcelona winning the race to sign the French centre-back. However, with Kounde’s move not set in stone, Barcelona will need to have a contingency plan in place, making Inigo Martinez a viable target for the Blaugrana.
According to Jose Manuel Monje, Barcelona’s director of football, Mateu Alemany and Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte have discussed a possible move for Martinez during a recent call. The two clubs have begun negotiations, with the 31-year-old keen on joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
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The Spanish international considers this his last chance to move to Camp Nou. And with one year left on his contract, a cut-price move could be on the cards. But with Barcelona prioritising signing Jules Kounde, a deal for Inigo Martinez might not see the light of day before August.
