La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly closing in on signing 31-year-old Spanish international Inigo Martinez in a Bosman move.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Inigo Martinez is on track to join Barcelona in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The 31-year-old defender does not have an offer on the table from Athletic Club to renew his contract.
Inigo Martinez has been one of the most underrated centre-backs in La Liga over the past decade. The veteran Spaniard has been a consistent performer for two Basque outfits, with his best coming at Athletic Club. And the player has justified the controversial decision to leave Real Sociedad to move to San Mames.
The 31-year-old has turned out 169 times for Athletic Club in the last half a decade, chipping in with seven goals and seven assists. But the Spanish international is in the final year of his contract and will likely depart as a free agent. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona saw Gerard Pique call time on his illustrious career last year. And while the former Spanish international has not left a gaping hole in the defensive unit, a spot is vacant for a centre-back to occupy. In addition, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen have blown hot and cold for Barcelona.
Martinez has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona. And the 31-year-old is an attractive option due to his impending free-agent status. Recent reports have also indicated that the Catalan giants have a verbal agreement with the Spanish international over a Bosman move. And according to SPORT, the player is on track to join Barcelona in the summer.
Recent reports claimed that Barcelona might consider cooling interest in the Spaniard. But the latest update suggests that the Blaugrana will likely bring him to Spotify Camp Nou. And with Athletic Club yet to table a new contract, a Bosman move is on the cards.
It will be interesting to see if Martinez leaves Athletic Club as a free agent in the summer transfer window. And the 31-year-old Spanish international will likely join Barcelona if he becomes an option for a Bosman move.
