Barcelona veteran defender no longer a part of the club’s plans – report

Journalist Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo has revealed that veteran defender Inigo Martinez is no longer in Barcelona’s plans. 

The new manager, Hansi Flick, has decided not to include him in his future strategy for the team. Even though he has one year left on his contract, it seems he won’t be a part of Barcelona’s squad moving forward.

It must be noted that Martinez joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer. However, the club has not yet registered his contract with La Liga due to financial fair play issues. 

Right now, Barcelona have other priorities to address before they can think about registering him. Moreover, the team already has a surplus of centre-backs, making Martinez’s position in the squad even more uncertain.

Barcelona have plenty of centre-backs 

Barcelona’s centre-back lineup is quite crowded. Currently, they have Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde filling those roles. Even if Araujo’s future at the club is uncertain, the team still has three solid centre-backs. 

Barcelona will not rely on Inigo Martinez next season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

To add to the complexity, Eric Garcia is set to return from his loan spell, which further complicates the situation for Martinez.

Given the financial constraints and the already crowded centre-back position, it seems unlikely that Barcelona will register Martinez this summer. 

In fact, the club might prefer to keep Garcia, as he is only 23 years old, and could be a more attractive option for the future, especially since he earns a lower salary compared to Martinez.

Barcelona would prefer Eric Garcia

Reports suggest that Barcelona are leaning towards Garcia because of his age, versatility, and lower salary. 

Meanwhile, Martinez, despite the uncertainty, is not considering leaving the club. However, there are rumours that Barcelona have offered him back to Athletic Club as part of a deal to sign Nico Williams from the Basque team.

This situation presents the first significant challenge for Hansi Flick as he takes over as Barcelona’s manager. Deciding what to do with Martinez, who is an experienced player but seems surplus to requirements, will be a critical test of his leadership. 

The club needs to balance financial constraints, squad depth, and future planning as they navigate this complicated scenario.