Barcelona Nears Iñigo Martínez Exit in Surprise Al Nassr Move
So, here's the latest twist in Barcelona’s summer transfer window—and it’s one not many saw coming. Iñigo Martínez, one of the key defenders under Hansi Flick, is on the verge of leaving the club, and not for another European powerhouse, but for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Talks between Barcelona, Al Nassr, and the player are already in an advanced stage, and unless there’s a last-minute U-turn, Martínez will be heading to the Saudi Pro League very soon. What’s especially surprising about this move is that, despite having a contract with Barça until June 2026, the transfer will go through for free .
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Yes, you heard that right—Martínez will leave without Barcelona receiving a transfer fee . But there’s more to the story. This isn’t just a random act of generosity from the club. Last summer, when he first received an offer from Saudi Arabia, Martínez decided to stay, believing in Flick’s project. However, during those talks, Barcelona made a gentleman’s agreement with the player: if another similar offer came in and he wanted to leave, the club wouldn’t stand in his way. That promise is now being honored.
From Barça’s perspective, the move isn’t all loss. By letting Martínez go, they’ll free up around 14 million euros in salary space, which is significant considering the club’s ongoing issues with the wage cap and registration of new signings. So while it stings to lose an important player, financially it opens the door to some flexibility.
Martínez himself has had a bit of a mixed time at the Camp Nou. He joined in the summer of 2023, but his first season was plagued by injuries and inconsistency—he ended up playing just 25 games. But last season? A complete turnaround. Under Flick, he became one of the most reliable figures at the back, racking up 46 appearances, scoring his first goal for the club, and helping Barça to three titles. He also hit a major career milestone by reaching 400 league appearances overall.
Now, at 34, it seems he’s ready for a new adventure—and understandably so. The financial offer from Al Nassr is believed to be massive, and at this stage of his career, it’s hard to turn that down. Plus, he’ll be joining Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars in a league that’s growing in profile and investment.
In the end, it's a move that feels like a win-win—Barça gets breathing room financially, and Martínez gets a well-earned payday in the twilight of his career. Still, his leadership and experience will be missed in the heart of the Blaugrana defense.
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