Barcelona will reportedly look to sign 31-year-old Spanish international Inigo Martinez in a Bosman move in the 2023 summer transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish publication AS, Inigo Martinez remains on Barcelona’s radar, even though they are on the verge of completing the signing of Jules Kounde. The Catalan giants view the 31-year-old Athletic Club defender as a replacement for Gerard Pique if the veteran centre-back leaves next year.
Inigo Martinez has been one of the most dependable defenders in La Liga for the better part of the past year. And the Spanish international has gone from strength to strength since joining Athletic Club from Basque rivals Real Sociedad nearly four years ago, becoming a solid performer for club and country.
The 31-year-old has turned out 158 times for Athletic Club, chipping in with six goals and seven assists. But Martinez has entered the final year of his contract with the Basque outfit and faces an uncertain future at San Mames. And Barcelona could look to secure his services in a Bosman move if he runs down his deal in 2023.
The Catalan giants are reportedly on the verge of completing the move for Jules Kounde, who will likely officially move to Camp Nou this week. But with Gerard Pique in the twilight of his career, Barcelona will need to be ready for the inevitable and identify a replacement for the veteran centre-back.
Inigo Martinez is thus a viable target for Barcelona, who initially wanted to secure his services in the ongoing transfer window. The Blaugrana had also opened talks with Athletic Club over a possible cut-price move this summer, with the 31-year-old open to joining them.
But the Spanish international will have to wait until 2023 to complete a dream move to Barcelona, as the Catalan giants are set to focus on reinforcing the full-back department after signing Kounde. However, Barcelona will only sign Martinez next summer if Gerard Pique decides to call it quits at Camp Nou at the end of the 2022/23 season.
For now, Barcelona will sign Kounde to bolster the central defensive unit, with the French centre-back likely to sign a four-year contract. As for Inigo Martinez, the 31-year-old Spanish international needs to wait patiently to see how things evolve in the coming season at Camp Nou.
