OFFICIAL: Al Nassr Complete Transfer of Iñigo Martínez from Barcelona

Al Nassr have officially completed the free transfer signing of Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez, with the Spanish centre-back activating a specific clause in his contract to allow his immediate departure. The 33-year-old has terminated his Barcelona contract with immediate effect to join the Saudi Pro League giants as a free agent.

Martínez will sign a contract until June 2026 with Al Nassr, plus an option for a further season until June 2027. The departure provides Barcelona with crucial salary space savings worth between €12-14 million for the upcoming season, addressing their ongoing financial constraints.

Contract Termination and Exit Clause

The transfer was completed without any transfer fee, with Martínez utilizing a specific clause within his Barcelona contract that allowed for his departure under certain circumstances. This clause enabled both parties to reach a mutually beneficial agreement without financial complications.

Barcelona have officially terminated Martínez’s contract with immediate effect, allowing him to join Al Nassr as a completely free agent. The termination provides the Catalan club with significant financial relief during their ongoing battle with La Liga’s salary cap restrictions.

The activation of this exit clause is a strategic move by both player and club, with Barcelona prioritizing salary space management while Martínez secures a lucrative final contract in his career.

Financial Impact for Barcelona

The departure generates substantial salary space savings of between €12-14 million for Barcelona, providing crucial breathing room within La Liga’s strict financial regulations. This freed-up wage budget allows Barcelona greater flexibility in their remaining transfer activities.

Barcelona’s willingness to allow Martínez to leave for free demonstrates the importance they place on reducing their wage bill over generating transfer revenue. The long-term financial benefits outweigh any potential transfer income.

The club had been reportedly aware of this potential departure for several days, allowing them to prepare for the defensive gap while focusing on the significant salary savings the move would generate.

Unexpected Transfer Timeline

This transfer materialized remarkably quickly, with the move being unforeseen just 24 hours earlier. The rapid development caught many observers by surprise given Martínez’s importance to Barcelona’s defensive structure.

Despite being a prominent team member during Barcelona’s successful 2024/25 season, Martínez notably didn’t feature prominently during the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. This reduced involvement may have influenced his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Earlier reports had suggested a potential €10 million transfer fee, but the final agreement confirmed the move as completely free, benefiting both parties through different mechanisms.

Player Profile and Recent Success

The 33-year-old defender departs Barcelona after a hugely successful season in which the club won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and other major honors. Martínez formed a crucial defensive partnership alongside Pau Cubarsí during this triumphant campaign.

Martínez had signed a contract extension with Barcelona just months earlier, making this departure particularly surprising. His experience and defensive leadership were considered valuable assets for the club’s continued development.

His age profile and career stage make this move to Saudi Arabia a logical step, providing him with a lucrative final chapter while allowing Barcelona to focus on younger defensive options.

Al Nassr’s Strategic Acquisition

The signing continues Al Nassr’s policy of attracting experienced European talent to raise the profile of the Saudi Pro League. Martínez brings proven quality and leadership to their defensive structure.

Manchester United beat Newcastle United to the signing of Benjamin Sesko

His arrival provides Al Nassr with immediate defensive stability while adding important experience from one of Europe’s top leagues. The free transfer nature makes this excellent business for the Saudi club.

This addition strengthens Al Nassr’s squad as they continue competing domestically and in Asian continental competitions, with Martínez’s European experience proving valuable in high-pressure matches.