Just three years ago, they were constant spenders in the transfer market, until massive debts were revealed and they lost Lionel Messi, And now, they don’t have too much choice while on the transfer market and have to look out for free agents. In the last two seasons, they signed no less than nine of them, and today, the 10th one arrived. Inigo Martinez the 32-year-old stopper from Athletic Bilboa can hardly be called a mega-signing. He came as a free agent and signed a two-year deal with the Catalans, who added a 400 million euros buyout clause in his contract. Hardly anyone would pay more than 10 million for him, but Barca put this amount, just in case.✅ Íñigo Martínez, a culer until 2025— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 5, 2023 Xavi and co. hope that Inigo will help with his accumulated experience. Reinforcements were certainly needed by Xavi after the backline was weakened by the departures of veterans such as Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. Inigo Martínez fits in there perfectly because he can also play at left back. His spells at Real Sociedad and then Athletic Club saw him play over 350 LaLiga games, including scoring 22 goals. His experience is massive and considering that Barcelona will play on three fronts next season (La Liga, Spanish Cup and the Champions League), expect to see Martinez start against teams like Girona, Hetafe, Cadiz or Alaves.Saudis have solution for Barca – Kessie offered 15 million a year dealApart from adding Martinez, the Catalans and their president Joan Laporta are focused on selling players, in their never ending process of balancing the books in order to comply with La Liga rules. One of their many free agent signings, Franck Kessie should leave soon to Saudi Arabia, as Barca is bracing for a bid from the Middle East.##NAJAVA_MECA_7353141##
