Barcelona Defender Iñigo Martínez Joins Saudi Club Al Nassr on Free Transfer

On August 7, 2025, it was reported that Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez is poised to leave the club and join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in a surprising transfer. The 34-year-old Spanish center-back will sign a contract with Al Nassr that runs through June 2026, with an option for an additional year.

The move comes as a shock, as Martínez was a valued contributor for Barcelona last season. After joining the club in 2023, he made 46 appearances across all competitions, starting 11 of 13 Champions League matches and 28 La Liga games. Martínez played a vital role in Barcelona's domestic unbeaten run from January to May 2025 and completed the full 120 minutes in the Copa del Rey final, helping the team secure a domestic treble.

However, Barcelona will not recoup any financial value from Martínez's departure, as his current contract is set to be terminated immediately. This is due to a reported contract clause that allowed the player to leave on a free transfer. The move is a significant blow for Barcelona, both in terms of losing a key defensive player and the club's ongoing financial struggles, which have led to scrutiny over player registration issues.

The transfer could free up funds on Barcelona's wage bill, potentially allowing them to register new signing Joan García as the team's starting goalkeeper. But the loss of Martínez is still a setback, as the defender had established himself as a consistent starter under manager Hansi Flick prior to his injury-enforced absence.