FC Barcelona Signs Iñigo Martínez on a Free Transfer

Iñigo Martínez is Barcelona bound…

FC Barcelona has announced the signing of the 32-year-old Spanish professional footballer on a free transfer following his departure from Athletic Club.

Inigo MartinezMartinez joins Barca on a two-year deal and will provide competition at centerback for Ronald AraújoAndreas ChristensenJules Koundé and Eric García.

Barca tried to sign Martinez last summer, but they couldn’t agree a fee with Athletic Club, who held on to the Spain international despite at the risk of losing him as a free agent this year.

However, they maintained their interest in bringing him in, with negotiations accelerating at the start of the year after Gerard Pique retired from football.

ESPN reported in March that Barca had reached a verbal agreement with Martinez, who left Athletic Club when his contract expired last month.

Barca’s defense was one of their strengths as they sealed a first LaLiga title since 2019 this season, with Xavi Hernandez‘s side keeping 26 clean sheets in 38 league games.

However, Xavi was keen to add a left-footed centerback to his options, with Martinez also adding experience to what is a relatively young backline.

Martinez began his career with Real Sociedad, making over 200 appearances for the club before joining their Basque rivals Athletic Club in a deal worth €32 million ($34.8m) in 2018.

He made 177 appearances for Athletic and helped the club beat Barca to win the Spanish Super Cup in 2021, but will now embark on the next chapter of his career at the Spanish champions.

Marcelo Bielsa Agrees to Become Coach of Uruguay’s National Soocer Team

Marcelo Bielsa has landed his next coaching gig…

The 67-year-old Argentine professional football manager has agreed to become coach of Uruguay‘s national team.

Marcelo Bielsa Jorge Casales, a member of the executive committee of the Uruguayan soccer association, told The Associated Press that the former Leeds United manager will sign a contract through the 2026 World Cup.

“The only thing missing is the signature,” Casales said of the 39-month deal, with Bielsa expected in Montevideo within days.

Bielsa’s first matches on the job are likely to be in June, when Uruguay are scheduled to play friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba. South American World Cup qualifying will begin in September.

“We are bringing in someone who we know will leave us a legacy that goes beyond the 90 minutes of a match,” Casales said.

Uruguay was knocked out in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar.

Bielsa coached Argentina from 1998 to 2004. He saw his team eliminated at the group stage of the 2002 World Cup and then won the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games.

He left the job for personal reasons.

Bielsa also coached Chile between 2007 and 2011.

The Argentinian also had spells at EspanyolAthletic ClubMarseille and Lille. He has been out of a job since February 2022 when he was fired by Leeds.

Casales said the negotiations with Bielsa took three months.

FC Barcelona Reportedly Has Verbal Agreement in Place to Sign Iñigo Martinez

igo Martinez has voiced his plans…

FC Barcelona has announced the team has a verbal agreement in place to sign the 31-year-old Spanish professional soccer player in the summer, according to ESPN.

The move is dependent on Barca reducing their wage bill, though, with the Catalan club expected to be in excess of their LaLiga-imposed spending limit next season.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has said they will need to reduce more than €150 million from their outgoings, with the Spanish league preventing them from registering midfielder Gavi‘s new contract until their financial situation improves.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are moving ahead with plans to strengthen and are targeting Athletic Club defender Martinez, who is out of contract in June.

Martinez has been tracked by Barca for years and the club have stepped up their interest in recent weeks due to the fact he is available for free at the end of the season.

Atletico Madrid are also keen on the Spain international, but sources have told ESPN that the centerback has already given his word to Barca and that a transfer now depends on the Blaugrana cutting their wage bill.

A report from Jijantes claims Barca could include a clause, which would see Martinez go out on loan, earning the salary agreed with Barca, if they are unable to register him.