There is a commandment that says that a large part of the planning for the following season must be done between February and May. Barcelona also knows how to work long term. It has shown this in the last two summers with the zero-cost signings of Kun Agüero, Eric Garcia and Memphis (for the 21-22 season) and those of Christensen and Kessié (for the 22-23 season). They all had a link and Barça knew how to move well behind the scenes so that they did not escape. The same has happened now with Iñigo Martínez (Ondarroa, 17/V/1991).
The central defender from Biscay, with just turned 32, said goodbye to Athletic Club yesterday morning through a video and at noon he was already seen in a hotel in Barcelona near the Spotify Camp Nou. The signing of him has been agreed for weeks and he will become the first reinforcement for 2023-24. The idea is to announce the incorporation before the footballer goes on vacation.
The absolute international –on 19 occasions, with Del Bosque, Lopetegui and Luis Enrique but not yet with De la Fuente– will occupy the place in the axis of the defense that Piqué vacated. When his arrival is official, Barcelona will have five central defenders with Araújo, Koundé, Christensen and Eric Garcia and the Basque. Six if Umtiti is counted.
Iñigo Martínez, left-handed and with a great passing game, has extensive experience in the First Division. Since he made his debut in September 2011, he has accumulated 357 matches in the top flight. However, in these 12 seasons as a professional, there is only one title on his record: the Spanish Super Cup that he won in January 2021 at La Cartuja... against Barcelona.
In his Athletic farewell video, the footballer explained that it is not an easy decision for him. “It is not easy to leave my land, my roots and those of my family. It has been a pleasure defending this shield, ”he recalled, but he slipped that he needed new challenges. "I think the time has come to focus on a new sporting challenge", he justified himself.
Later, Athletic and the player's entourage got involved in a reply and counter-replies of statements. The club pointed out that "after different negotiation attempts in the last two seasons, Iñigo Martínez has maintained his rejection" of offers to extend his contract. On the other hand, from the circle close to the footballer they "categorically denied that the current Athletic board of directors has presented any offer." Because of this conflict, the defender has barely played 18 games this season under Valverde, who has promoted the Vivian-Yeray couple.
The Basque central defender was already close to dressing as a blaugrana in the summer of 2017, when he was still a member of Real Sociedad. Barça made a move but then Mascherano, who was entering the World Cup season in Russia, saw his ownership in danger both at the Camp Nou and at the Albiceleste. So Iñigo didn't leave... until January 2018, when he signed for Athletic, from which he now goes to Barcelona.
