In an attempt to overhaul the backline, Barcelona have been significantly interested in Athletic Club’s centre-back Inigo Martinez. As per Spanish media outlet SPORT, the club’s combined bid of 20 million euros has been turned down.
Reinforcing the defence line with strong players was one of the primary agendas for Barcelona president Joan Laporta, sporting director Mateu Alemany, and head coach Xavi this summer.
After signing Andreas Christensen for free following the expiry of his contract with Chelsea, they also spent heavily on Sevilla’s central defender Jules Kounde. When the Frenchman joined the club for 50 million euros back in July, he became the most expensive defensive signing in the history of the club.
The arrival of Christensen and Kounde comes a sigh of relief for fans of Barcelona who had to see their team struggle at the back over the last several seasons. Gerard Pique is no longer the player he was and despite their brief brilliance, Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet turned out to be false promises.
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Moreover, Barcelona reportedly consider Pique’s time at the highest level in football to be over, and he has also been dealing with plenty of injuries and fitness concerns lately. His contract runs out next year, and the 33-year-old has no intention to extend it.
Barcelona-based media source SPORT claims that Barcelona are now actively interested in Spanish defender Inigo Martinez. The 31-year-old has plenty of La Liga experience and has been heavily linked with the Blaugrana since the beginning of the transfer window. In fact, interest in him became stronger when it seemed like Chelsea had become the favourites to land Kounde.
Despite the arrival of Kounde to Camp Nou, it is believed that Barcelona’s interest in the experienced campaigner hasn’t subsided yet. SPORT journalist Alfredo Martinez has reported that, on the insistence of Xavi and Alemany, the club formally tabled a strong bid for the Athletic Club superstar.
According to Martinez, Barcelona submitted an offer worth 15 million plus another 5 million in variables. It was expected to be a reasonable offer for a player in the final year of his contract, but Athletic Club were quick to turn down the offer, deeming it insignificant.
