Free transfer shock: Inigo Martinez to Al-Nassr saves Barça millions

In a surprising turn of events, veteran central defender Inigo Martinez has finalized a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, leaving FC Barcelona after just one season. The 33-year-old has terminated his contract with the Catalan giants and will join Cristiano Ronaldo’s side on a free transfer.

The deal, which was reportedly finalized swiftly, is a significant blow to Barcelona’s defensive plans for the upcoming season. Martínez had been considered a key part of new manager Hansi Flick’s project. However, a clause in his contract allowed him to leave for free if a lucrative offer came from a Saudi Pro League club, a detail that has now come to light.

For Barcelona, the immediate financial silver lining is the creation of approximately €14 million in salary cap space. This will be crucial in their ongoing efforts to register new signings and navigate their well-documented financial constraints.

The move sees Martinez link up with a growing list of former European stars at Al Nassr. His departure will force Barcelona to recalibrate their defensive strategy, with Andreas Christensen now expected to take on a more prominent role.