Athletic Club recently rejected an offer worth €20 million, including add-ons, from Barcelona for Spanish international defender Inigo Martinez.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona’s attempts to sign Inigo Martinez in the ongoing transfer window have been futile, with Athletic Club recently rejecting their offer. The Blaugrana had proposed a deal worth €20 million, including add-ons, with the base fee being around €15 million.
Inigo Martinez has been one of the reliable defenders in La Liga for much of the past decade, excelling for two Basque outfits during this period. The veteran centre-back has been a shining light for Athletic Club, in particular, while becoming a regular face in the Spanish national squad in the last few years.
The 31-year-old has turned out 159 times for Athletic Club, chipping in with seven 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. With the player no closer to agreeing to a new deal, his situation has alerted several clubs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona’s interest in Inigo Martinez dates back several years, but they are seriously pursuing him this summer. The Blaugrana first showed interest in him this summer in May, and they have continued to ebb away at the Spanish international and Athletic Club to try and sign him before the ongoing transfer window shuts down.
But recent reports have claimed that the Basque giants have no interest in selling Martinez this summer, even though he has entered the final year of his contract. However, that has not stopped Barcelona from pursuing the 31-year-old, with the Blaugrana submitting an offer worth €20 million, including bonuses.
The base fee in the €20 million package is worth €15 million, with the remaining €5 million being add-ons. But Athletic Club did not deviate from the stance of not selling Martinez this summer, with the Basque outfit knocking back Barcelona’s proposal for the Spanish international.
It will be interesting to see if Barcelona will return to Athletic Club with an improved offer. But even though Gerard Pique is in the twilight of his career, the Catalan giants do not need to sign another central defender after bringing in Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen. However, the Spanish international remains keen on joining Barcelona.
