Barça will make a Gündogan with Iñigo Martínez

BarcelonaA very surprising move in the Barça transfer market. Iñigo Martínez, one of Hansi Flick's most important players last season, is on the way out. The Ondarroa-born center-back, with a contract until 2026, is attracting interest from Saudi Arabian football clubs, and everything points to his immediate departure from Barça, as reported by transfer journalists Matteo Moretto and Fabrizio Romano and confirmed by ARA.

Negotiation sources admit that the departure is about to become official. Martínez, who missed the last two matches of the Asian tour due to discomfort, has a contract until the end of this season and will free up a significant salary that could help with the signings of Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford, and Gerard Martín. Barça won't receive any transfer fees in return, but will receive between 13 and 14 million euros in salary cap space, which without the 1:1 rule won't be enough to register a player immediately, although it will help. The deal is reminiscent of last year's transfer to İlkay Gündoğan, who ended up at Manchester City due to the same pressing need for Barça.

'Gifted' in a similar way to Gündoğan

Without the Basque defender, Flick will be left with a considerable gap in the defensive core, as he doesn't have another specific left-footed center back. This move consolidates Ronald Araujo's continued presence in the squad, as well as Andreas Christensen's, who, like Iñigo, has a contract until 2026. The position would also be filled by Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsí, in addition to Gerard Martín, who has played at left center back this preseason, replacing the very young Jofre Torrents. Aside from his athletic merits, Martínez is a significant asset in the squad. A captain without the armband.

This Thursday afternoon, Iñigo Martínez did not train with Barça, indicating the imminent nature of the move. The destination club is Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix play. The Saudi club is looking for a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who is likely to return to Athletic Club this summer following Yeray Álvarez's doping ban.