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.

Omo, this is painful — and it seems Flick didn’t see it coming at all.

From Barcelona to Saudi Arabia

It’s no longer a rumour — Iñigo Martínez is set to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, the same club where Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays. The 34-year-old is reportedly chasing one final big payday before hanging up his boots.

For Barça fans, this one hurts even more because Iñigo was not just any squad player — he was a key figure at the heart of the defence last season, both on and off the pitch.

Flick ‘Orphaned’ by the Departure

According to Sport’s report, Flick has been described as “in love” with Iñigo’s style of play and leadership. Losing him now, especially so suddenly, is said to have left the coach feeling “orphaned” in his defensive plans.

Omo, imagine building your strategy around a player, then boom — he’s off to Saudi. That’s a tough blow for any manager.

A Hard Blow for Barcelona

The timing of the move has made things even more complicated for Barcelona. With the season preparations already underway, replacing a veteran with Iñigo’s experience won’t be easy.

Sport summed up Flick’s mood perfectly:

“The departure of the man from Ondarroa is terrible news on a sporting level for a coach who is in love with him and who is now quite orphaned. It is a very hard blow, one of those that hurt Flick.”

What’s Next?

As Iñigo Martínez prepares for life in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona will have to act fast in the transfer market to fill the gap. Fans are already speculating who could come in — and omo, with Saudi clubs offering massive wages, this might not be the last surprise exit we see.