Second renewal underway! Barça seeks to secure Iñigo Martínez until 2027

The FC Barcelona board hopes to extend Iñigo Martínez's contract again. The 33-year-old center-back had a renewal clause for one more year if he played at least 60% of the official matches in 2024/25, and the club, recognizing his great work under Hansi Flick's orders, anticipated it in March by signing the extension of his contract until June 2026.

Well, just three months after announcing his permanence at the club for one more year, Barça wants to secure the Basque player's future for another season, until June 2027, continuing the policy of preventing all the team's key players from starting a season in their last year of contract.

The center-back turned 34 this week, but he is at a remarkable level. In the coming weeks, Joan Laporta and Deco must meet with his agent, Carmelo Sánchez, to finalize the details of the defender's new contract, whose salary in 24/25 was 9 million euros gross per year. His termination clause remains at €400M.

Iñigo Martínez, the best center-back in LaLiga 24/25 alongside Pau Cubarsí

Alongside Pau Cubarsí, the '5' was untouchable in Flick's scheme throughout the season, where he has 3 goals and 6 assists in 46 appearances (3,976 minutes). Iñigo practically doubled his playing time compared to 23/24, where he occupied a mostly secondary role in Xavi Hernández's team. Throughout the season, he only missed 13 of Barça's 59 matches.

In La Liga, he has completed 91.3% (2,209) of his passes, only surpassed by Cubarsí (93.5%) among the defenders with the best ball handling in the tournament. In addition, he was a guarantee in aerial play, both in defense and attack, scoring a couple of goals in the Champions League and another in the Copa del Rey for the first time in the Blaugrana shirt.

Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí, marking Kylian Mbappé during a Liga Clásico

After a first year of adaptation, Flick's confidence has allowed Iñigo to return to being the leader of a defense that, beyond having conceded many goals, has done a great job of constantly leaving its rivals offside.

Logically, with such an advanced line, it is normal to be caught easily one-on-one, so the coach will have to perfect his defensive scheme during the upcoming pre-season.

Barça will give continuity to its center-backs for 25/26

In any case, the club is clear: Iñigo Martínez will continue to be a reference in defense, alternating prominence with Ronald Araujo, Eric García and Andreas Christensen himself.

There was much talk in recent months about the option of signing Jonathan Tah, but the board prefers to secure the future of a squad that has won three titles in 24/25 before evaluating the arrival of reinforcements.

There will be signings, but only players that the team really needs will arrive. For now, the coaching staff is very happy with the team and, between June and July, there will be time to define the positions that deserve additions. 

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