Barcelona and Inigo Martinez are reportedly on the cusp of sealing an agreement over a possible Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
According to Spanish journalists Sergio Santos and Patxo De la Rica, Inigo Martinez remains a top target for Barcelona. And the Catalan giants are on the verge of agreeing to a Bosman deal with the 31-year-old. The veteran defender has verbally accepted the contract offer, with a move on the cards.
Inigo Martinez has gone from strength to strength since sealing a controversial move to Athletic Club in January 2018. The Spanish international arrived at San Mames from fellow Basque outfit Real Sociedad. But he has done well to put the contentious issue in the rearview mirror and become a pivotal figure for Los Leones.
The 31-year-old has chipped in with seven goals and seven assists in 172 appearances for Athletic Club. But the Basque giants are in a spot of bother over Martinez’s long-term future, as he is in the final months of his contract. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona considered signing Martinez last summer, but a move did not materialise. But that did not deter the Blaugrana from remaining interested in the veteran centre-back. And with Xavi Hernandez desperate to have a left-footed central defender at his disposal, Martinez became a top target for Barcelona.
The Catalan outfit’s financial struggles also make the 31-year-old Spanish international an appealing target. Meanwhile, the player is keen on joining Barcelona in a Bosman move this summer. And the two parties have come closer to sealing an agreement over a summer transfer.
The latest update comes in the wake of reports that Barcelona cooled interest in the player. But Martinez remains on Barcelona’s radar and has already accepted the salary offer from the Blaugrana. However, the precarious financial situation is delaying a total agreement between the two parties.
Barcelona must balance the books before signing a player in the summer transfer window. And the total agreement with Inigo Martinez will have to wait until that happens. For now, the 31-year-old Spanish international seems on the cusp of joining Barcelona in a Bosman move.
