Barcelona considered Saudi Arabia's offer for the defender in the final days of the transfer market
Barcelona was an interesting hunting ground for buyers in the transfer market this summer, with the Catalan side desperately in need of income, and looking to trim their squad. One of the victims could be Inigo Martinez.
The veteran defender was talked about as a potential sacrifice in February of this year because of his salary, the fact that he arrived on a free and is not considered a crucial part of his side. According to MarcoMartinez has a gross salary of €15 million a year, and Barcelona had planned to look for an exit for him at the start of the transfer window.
Barcelona could be open to selling Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong if they do not renew their contracts. @ffpolo, @sergisoleMD pic.twitter.com/yY6NdHTahS
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 8, 2024
In the last days of the transfer market, an offer of 5 million euros came from Saudi Arabia, and while Barcelona considered, as it would have helped significantly with his salary limit, decided to refuse the offer. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was unwilling to let Martinez go because of injuries to Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo.
Martinez has certainly proved key early on, starting all four games in which Hansi Flick has been in charge. Partnering Pau Cubarsi at the back, his experience has been important so far, with young Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde at his side. The other alternative at left-back, Gerard Martin, is also inexperienced at the highest level, while Christensen and Araujo could be out for several months.
