Barcelona will have the edge in the race to sign Inigo Martinez amid the emergence of Atletico Madrid as a suitor.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Inigo Martinez is ready to wait for an approach from Barcelona. Atletico Madrid recently contacted the 31-year-old Athletic Club defender. But the veteran centre-back is keen on joining Barcelona in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
Inigo Martinez has been one of the most underrated centre-backs in La Liga during his professional career. The Spanish international has endured some controversy over the past decade after playing for two Basque outfits. But he has excelled for both Real Sociedad and Athletic Club.
The 31-year-old has turned out 169 times thus far for Athletic Club, chipping in with seven goals and seven assists. But Martinez will likely leave the Lions as a free agent after entering the final six months of his contract. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona attempted to sign Martinez in a cut-price deal last summer before a move failed to materialise. The Blaugrana did not throw in the towel after missing out on his signature. And recent reports have claimed that they are well-placed to sign the 31-year-old defender in a Bosman move.
The Spanish international has reportedly verbally agreed to join Barcelona. And according to the report, he is willing to wait for Barcelona to make an approach. Such a stance comes as a blow for Atletico Madrid, who recently contacted the representatives of the veteran centre-back.
Atletico Madrid will embark on a long overdue squad overhaul in the summer transfer window. And widespread reports have suggested that Jose Maria Gimenez might depart from Civitas Metropolitano at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Felipe joined Nottingham Forest in January. So Atletico Madrid will have a vacancy in the central defensive unit.
But with Inigo Martinez ready to wait for Barcelona, signing the Athletic Club defender seems unlikely for Atletico Madrid. And it will be interesting to see who the Colchoneros target following the snub from the 31-year-old. For now, the Spaniard seems set to join Barcelona in the summer.