La Liga defender has passed his medicals with Barcelona ahead of free transfer

While the disappointment of seeing Lionel Messi snub them in favour of Inter Miami will sting, FC Barcelona are making substantial progress with regard to signing their other transfer targets.

Reports of a three-year contract agreement with Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan have been picking up steam over the past few days. The plan is for the Catalans to announce his signing soon after the UEFA Champions League final that takes place tomorrow.

Another player who appears to be close to joining the La Liga champions is Inigo Martinez.

The 32-year-old centre-half confirmed his exit from Athletic Club earlier this week and according to Javi Miguel of AS, Martinez has successfully completed his medical with Barcelona since then and everything is in order for him to be presented as a Barça player as of June 30.

Martinez is a player that has been on the Blaugrana’s radars since last summer. A verbal agreement with the Spanish international is understood to have been in place for months together now and he will soon sign on a free transfer.

The Catalan giants have lacked a left-footed centre-back option in their squad, forcing manager Xavi Hernandez to rely on Marcos Alonso on several occasions during the 2022/23 campaign.

But the former Chelsea ace will be playing as a left-back next season following the exit of Jordi Alba. As such, there was a need for a left-footed centre-back to arrive. And Martinez addresses that deficiency within the roster.

Reports have suggested that the defender has signed a two-year contract with the La Liga champions, which includes a special clause that will allow him to leave on loan if Barcelona cannot register him.

With the medicals successfully passed, Martinez’s signing is very much in the bag and the only thing now seemingly remaining is an official announcement.