La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly mulling over ending interest in veteran Spanish defender Inigo Martinez.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Inigo Martinez might not be a target for Barcelona for much longer. The Catalan giants are considering cooling their interest in the veteran Spanish defender if Marcos Alonso extends his stay at Spotify Camp Nou beyond the summer transfer window.
Inigo Martinez has been a household name for those watching La Liga for much of the past decade. The 31-year-old has made his name by representing two ever-present Basque outfits, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club. And he currently plies his trade for the latter, joining them nearly five years ago.
The veteran Spanish defender has turned out 169 times for Athletic Club, chipping in with seven goals and seven assists. But Martinez is in the final year of his contract with the Basque outfit, putting them in a spot of bother. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Gerard Pique has called it a day midway through the season, leaving a vacant berth in the defence. As a result, Inigo Martinez emerged on Barcelona’s radar over a possible Bosman move in the summer. The Spaniard’s contract situation had also made him an appealing target for Barcelona.
Recent reports suggested that Barcelona and Martinez had a verbal agreement over a Bosman move. But Mundo Deportivo has now put those claims to rest for good. The report indicates that Barcelona will not sign Martinez if Marcos Alonso commits to a new contract in the coming months.
The Catalan giants view Alonso as a possible option for the central defensive positions. And with Xavi Hernandez utilising the former Chelsea defender as a centre-back, it is not hard to see why they are adopting such a stance. Meanwhile, recent reports have claimed that Alonso is closing in on signing a new deal.
With Alonso set to remain at Spotify Camp Nou beyond the summer, Martinez will unlikely remain a target for Barcelona. It will be interesting to see if the veteran Spanish defender now signs a new deal with Athletic Club.
