Here We Go: Fabrizio Romano confirms surprising Barcelona first-team exit

Football transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, has dropped a huge transfer bombshell confirming that a first-team player has decided to leave Barcelona on a free transfer.
Fabrizio Romano, Italian sports journalist, attends the...
Fabrizio Romano, Italian sports journalist, attends the... | Nicolò Campo/GettyImages

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a first-team player is set to leave Barcelona for the Saudi Pro League. Íñigo Martínez is reportedly joining Al-Nassr on a free transfer, having terminated his contract to facilitate the move.

The transfer comes as a surprise just two weeks before the start of the La Liga season. Many, myself included, believed Martínez was poised to partner Pau Cubarsí in central defense and possibly even become part of the leadership group within the squad.

The deal has come out of nowhere, as the player had not previously been linked with any club before news of the transfer broke. This suggests that Barcelona may have been forced into the move in order to comply with squad registration rules. Offloading Martínez’s wages could potentially allow the club to register Joan García, Marcus Rashford, or Roony Bardghji for the upcoming season.

His departure has left a considerable void for Barcelona, even as it frees up valuable space on the wage bill. The former Athletic Bilbao captain was a crucial figure in Hansi Flick's plans, with his 28 appearances in La Liga and a further 11 in the Champions League serving as a clear testament to his importance to the squad's defensive solidity. His exit, while reportedly saving the club around €14 million, vital for registering new signings, removes a much-needed left-footed and experienced presence from the heart of the defense.

The defender is said to have received a “great financial offer,” and Barcelona appear willing to let him go, given their depth at centre-back. Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen remain the club’s most experienced options, while Jules Koundé and Eric García can also cover the position, in addition to their versatility in other roles. It’s unlikely that any other player will depart as a direct consequence of this move.

We wish Íñigo all the best following his two years at Barcelona. While a direct replacement seems unlikely, we hope his departure won’t hinder the club’s pursuit of back-to-back domestic trebles.