Iñigo Martinez agrees to switch Real Sociedad for Barcelona

Iñigo Martinez agrees to switch Real Sociedad for Barcelona

El golazo de Íñigo Martínez frente al Athletic Club / | LALIGA

Barça will pay his clause and hand him a five-year deal

The deal could be completed in the coming days

Iñigo Martinez is a step away from becoming a new Barcelona player. The centre-back has communicated to Real Sociedad of his intention to leave the club and pay his 32 million release clause. 

Martinez is finalising the final details of his contract with Barça, which will last five years and all that's then left is for the clause to be deposited with the LFP, freeing the defender up to sign the deal. 

The transfer is a request of Ernesto Valverde, despite the fact the centre-back has been followed by Barça -- and other big clubs -- for several years now. 

Barça's new coach feels he would be the perfect addition for a long season, with the club hoping to compete in all three competitions until the very end. 

Martinez could be the first post-Neymar signing. It's a deal which would lead to Marlon Santos, who Valverde has watched in pre-season, moving on loan, with Leganes an option.