Iñigo Martínez, at 34 years old, is set to join Al-Nassr unless unexpected circumstances arise. The Barcelona defender has accepted an offer from the Saudi Arabian club and will be departing on a free transfer. This move will also relieve Barcelona of €14 million in salary, which will help facilitate the registration of new signings for the current season.
Martínez’s departure on a free transfer, despite having one year left on his contract, is due to a gentlemen’s agreement between him and the club. Last season, he turned down a lucrative offer to play in the Saudi Super League, choosing instead to stay with Barcelona under coach Hansi Flick. However, it was agreed that if another proposal came in this summer and he wanted to take it, he would be granted all necessary assistance. Barcelona is honoring that pact.
Martínez joined Barcelona in the summer of 2023. During his first year with the team, he faced several injuries that limited his appearances to 25 matches. However, under Flick’s guidance, he emerged as one of the squad’s leaders, participating in 46 games, scoring his first goal for the club, and helping secure three titles. He also reached a significant milestone, playing his 400th La Liga match during his career.
This move, while marking the end of Martínez’s Barcelona chapter, presents an opportunity for him to continue his career in a new environment, demonstrating the evolving nature of player transfers and contracts within football.