Athletic will try to shield Iñigo Martínez for fear of Barça

The name of Iñigo Martínez has turned with strength in the last hours in the orbit of the FC Barcelona. Although the group culé has like priority the signing of Jules Koundé, the true is that the central of the Athletic of Bilbao also likes a lot in the technical body headed by Xavi Hernández, by which the Basque directive will try to do all the possible for convincing to the player of 31 to renew his agreement, which expires in June of 2023.

In this regard, the newspaper 'El Correo' ensures that Jon Uriarte, president of the 'lions', already prepares an offer to extend the agreement of the central, which includes an improvement in his wage. At present, the defender of the Spanish Selection earns 9 million net euros by season, a figure that the ones of Saint Mamés could carry until the 11 or 12 'kilos' to the year. Thus, the Barça would be in disadvantage, since the blaugranas hardly will be able to offer him an agreement by a mount upper to his current wage.

In this sense, the same Basque newspaper explains that, for the moment, Iñigo has not transmitted his wish to leave neither to the directive neither to the technical body headed by Ernesto Valverde. In fact, the same trainer went out to the step of the rumours that plant to the of Ondarroa like next reinforcement culé after the last friendly of the Athletic (1-1 in front of the Mainz), split in which the defender was to title.

"We live the of Iñigo with tranquility. For us there is not any situation. I suppose that all this is the classical that sucede in all the summers, that some clubs interest or speaks that they interest . Of what goes out always isolate us a bit and already is", commented Valverde. Besides, the ex technician of the Barça added: "He is a very important player for us, the same that the other. We have all they", puntualizó the 'Txingurri'.

If Iñigo does not renew, the Athletic will listen offers

Although the Basque directive trusts to convince to the central to remain , the club stirs alternative if Iñigo does not renew immediately. In this context, the Athletic will change his posture and, in front of the possibility to lose him free in June of 2023, will listen offers by the player of 31 years, the one who from 1 January 2023 will be able to negotiate his traspaso like free agent to any club.

If the Barça closes the signing of Koundé, maybe Chelsea could appear in 'career' by the Spanish defender, since Thomas Tuchel prioritises fichar another central. In the meantime, all the staff bilbaína will travel to England this week to continue his pre-season there. The Saturday, the 'lions' will visit to the Newcastle in St. James Park to culminate his turn of the summer.