‘Here we go’ – Inigo Martinez set to leave Barcelona to join Al Nassr as a free agent | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had yet another dramatic day in the summer transfer window. After the club initially stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captaincy, it later emerged that Inigo Martínez could leave the club and join Al Nassr.

The Spanish defender who had been such a key member of Hansi Flick’s squad last season seems to have reached the end of the road as a Barcelona player. It looks like he is set to see out the final stages of his career in the Saudi Pro League.

Now, as per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, everything is agreed for Iñigo to join Al Nassr, and he has given his patented ‘Here we go.’ The Spaniard will be joining the SPL side on a free transfer, which means Barcelona won’t profit financially from the move.

One of the reasons Barcelona may have agreed to this exit is the potential benefit it could bring in terms of player registrations.

The 34-year-old is one of the highest earners in the Barcelona squad, having arrived on a free transfer a couple of seasons ago from Athletic Bilbao. His exit could now help the club register some of their new signings.

What this means is that Pau Cubarsi is set to have a new partner in the center of defense for the 2025/26 season. The current options are Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, although Gerard Martin, Eric Garcia, and Jules Kounde can also play in that position.

Inigo had a brilliant 2024/25 season at the Catalan club, and it is a shame that he is leaving. It may be that the offer from Al Nassr was simply too tempting to turn down from a financial perspective for the Basque defender.

However, Barcelona fans will have nothing but fond memories of the Spanish veteran, and one wishes him well in the next stage of his career.