According to reports, the 34-year-old centre-back – who was a regular starter under Xavi last season – has agreed to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr. The move is said to be motivated by one last big payday before he hangs up his boots.

The Saudi Temptation Barcelona Couldn’t Block

It’s no secret that Saudi clubs have been attracting top European stars with huge financial packages, and it looks like Martínez couldn’t resist the offer. Sources claimed the deal was too juicy to turn down.

The former Athletic Bilbao man is now set to link up with other big names in Saudi Arabia, leaving Barcelona short in defence just weeks before the new season kicks off.

Omo, this is going to be hot because replacing such an experienced defender at this stage won’t be easy.

Who Will Replace Iñigo Martínez?

So, what’s next for Barcelona? According to Blaugrana insider Achraf Ben Ayad, the club “do not rule out searching for a defender provided the conditions allow for it.”

Publicly, the message from the Catalan giants is that they will rely on their current squad. But behind closed doors, it is allegedly a different story – Barca’s top brass are said to be quietly exploring defensive options in case the right opportunity comes up.

The Clock Is Ticking for Xavi’s Squad

With the season fast approaching, Xavi could be forced to shuffle his defence and place more responsibility on younger players. Fans are already wondering whether this exit might push the club into the transfer market before the window closes.

One thing is certain – this unexpected twist has added more drama to Barcelona’s preseason plans. Whether they sign a replacement or stick with their current defenders, all eyes will be on how they handle the loss of one of their most trusted centre-backs.