Barca still interested in Athletic defender Inigo Martinez
The centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season and a good option
Íñigo Martínez will play on Sunday against Barça, the club that could be his next destination from June onwards. The Athletic centre-back is still a priority as a reinforcement with the full sporting OK as he is considered a real market opportunity. The Blaugrana will keep their word and will go for Íñigo Martínez although they cannot assure his entourage if the operation will come to fruition because of the salary limit issues they face. Inigo Martinez has other offers, but if he wants to go to Camp Nou he will have to wait.
Barça want to bring in a left-sided centre-back and Íñigo is the best fit. It is true that in recent weeks, Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) has shown his willingness to play for Barça and do everything possible to leave the Premier League on good terms, but Barça have warned him that the operation would only be possible through a loan deal and that negotiations with Íñigo Martínez are at an advanced stage.
The Blaugrana have been keeping a close eye on the evolution of the plantar fasciitis that has kept Íñigo sidelined since last November. The centre-back is doing well and Athletic will use him until the end of the season, so it will be possible to monitor his physical condition. There is a lot of tranquillity surrounding this issue, although the centre-back would like to have his future defined.
Barça are clear about their priorities due to the salary limit: the first thing will be to sign all the renewals made, such as Araujo and the more than likely deals for Balde and Iñaki Peña. From there, the first signing will be a centre-forward and the second a right-back. If the club has room for maneuver, the arrival of a centre-back will be added. Iñigo Martínez has already received offers from Atletico Madrid and several foreign clubs, but he is waiting, although he will not be waiting forever. Athletic are hoping that Íñigo will eventually ask for a meeting to renew his contract and thus present an offer that, for now, has not been made.
