Barcelona defender to dig heels in over future – club could face pay off | OneFootball

Barcelona are yet to register Inigo Martinez for next season, and with uncertainty over their salary limit situation, he could become a casualty of their significant depth in central defence. The strong-willed Basque defender has no intention of going anywhere this summer though.

For months his registration situation has been described as ‘uncertain’, with some linking him to the exit door. The departure of Xavi Hernandez, his largest backer at the club, has not helped matters either, and he has most recently been linked with a return to Athletic Club as part of a deal for Nico Williams.

Martinez is aware of those rumours, say MD, and aware of the speculation over his future, but has absolutely no intention of leaving the club either. Currently on holiday and looking forward to returning to preseason on the 10th of July, his camp say that there has been no contact with the club, and they do not expect any. While Barcelona could choose not to register him, if that is the case, Martinez has a clause in his deal where Barcelona will have to pay out his contract.

The 33-year-old defender struggled to stay fit consistently last season, but undoubtedly performed well on the whole while he was. His experience could be useful in a backline which is chronically short of it otherwise, even if there is ample competition for place in central defence. However he is possibly the least traumatic to lose for Flick. Equally if they are going to pay him one way or another, it makes sense to have him available.