The situation
Barcelona finds it impossible to sign Kounde and goes to plan B. They are serious about Íñigo Martínez. Mateu Alemany has contacted the rojiblanco president , Jon Uriarte, to communicate the interest of the Barça entity, according to Onda Vasca. The culé sports director has communicated to the Bilbao leader that they are going to transfer an offer shortly and it will be important. If this route gets stuck, Laporta has in mind to go for Pau Torres , another player with enormous pedigree, although Villarreal will not facilitate his departure. Athletic’s international central defender sees this movement with good eyes and has already said yes, although he feels very identified with Athletic. He has turned 31 and considers that he cannot let the Barça train pass for the second time. Years ago he was close to signing for the culé team, but the operation was stopped because Messi defended the continuity of his friend Mascherano. Ondarroa’s defender is a fixture with Luis Enrique, and at the end of the year he will play in the World Cup. He wants to fight for titles at the club level after losing finals as a lion.
The details
Now the ball is going to stay on the roof of the Athletic board. This does not want to sell and will try to improve and extend Íñigo Martínez’s contract, but it is the last year of his relationship and in 2023 it could be free . It has an 80 million clause that Barça is not willing to pay. Ibaigane’s request can go to 60 million. In case of sale, only two central defenders would remain in the squad (Yeray and Vvian) after the departure of Núñez. There is also Nolaskoain, but he is unknown after an ordeal due to injuries. The option that they like the most is David García, who has a 20 million clause. Guillamón is also on the agenda, although his clause amounts to 80 million. Íñigo joined the preseason a little later after playing with the National Team and enjoying the holidays. He made his debut in the friendlies yesterday against Bochum, with a very solvent job.