Inigo Martinez will not be heading to the Premier League with Aston Villa after reaching a ’verbal agreement’ ahead his summer switch to La Liga giants Barcelona.
After years spent chasing the Spain international, news of Martinez’s impending switch to the Camp Nou has the feeling of Coyote finally sinking his teeth into Road Runner. Of Tom finally ensnaring Jerry.
Barcelona held talks over a deal to bring in Martinez for around £29 million all the way back in 2017. He may be six years older these days, and the wrong side of 30. But the expiration of his Athletic Bilbao contract obviously presented an opportunity Xavi and co felt they could not refuse.
According to ESPN and Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have a ‘verbal agreement’ with Martinez. The former Real Sociedad stopper, who crossed the Basque divide five years ago, is not officially a Blaugrana player yet, however.
Aston Villa miss out as Inigo Martinez agrees Barcelona move
Barcelona’s precarious financial situation means they will first have to make room in the wage bill for the 31-year-old centre-half. The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Andreas Christensen are among the potential candidates to depart; Barca under pressure to raise around £178 million in order to ease those financial fair play fears.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, will now have to look elsewhere in their pursuit of defensive depth.
According to El Desmarque, Villa’s former Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal coach Unai Emery had hoped to work with Martinez in the Midlands. Aston Villa, who like another Athletic Bilbao player in Nico Williams, could now opt for the more homespun option of Hull City’s Jacob Greaves.
News of Martinez’s departure, meanwhile, will not go down well at San Mames.
“We know that he is a very good player,” Athletic legend Javier Clemente said recently. “He has a character that suits Athletic perfectly; his dedication, his fight.
“If I were president, I would have already resolved this or almost resolved it.”
“If he stays, great. I would tell him that he is a great kid and that he should stay. But we are taking a long time and other teams are already in the way. The longer we take, the more teams (will show an interest).
“And also he is going to get tired (with negotiations).”
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