Barcelona mainstay emerges as key target for Atletico Madrid’s defence – report | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid, according to the latest reports from Fichajes.

The experienced centre-back, who joined Barcelona in 2023, recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2026.

However, it has been revealed that his new deal does not include a clause that would allow for an automatic extension based on the number of appearances he makes.

A valuable player for Barcelona

With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, Barcelona’s management is considering the possibility of selling him sooner rather than allowing him to leave as a free agent.

The club is aware that letting a player of his calibre depart without receiving a transfer fee would not be an ideal situation, and as a result, they could explore transfer options in the coming months.

Atletico Madrid are interested in Inigo Martinez. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Martinez has been a dependable figure in defence, bringing stability and experience to Barcelona’s backline. However, at 33 years old, he faces tough competition for a starting role, with younger options emerging within the squad.

Despite this, he remains a high-performing defender with years of La Liga experience, making him a valuable asset for any team looking to reinforce their defence.

Atletico Madrid want him

Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, see Martinez as a strong candidate to bolster their backline.

Simeone has always prioritised defenders who bring leadership, aggression, and strong aerial ability—qualities that the Basque centre-back possesses.

Atletico’s sporting directors are carefully assessing the feasibility of signing him, knowing that Barcelona could be open to negotiating a transfer for a reasonable price.

Ultimately, Martinez’s future will depend on how talks progress between the two clubs and his own decision.

He will have to weigh the possibility of embracing a new challenge at the Metropolitano or staying at Barcelona until the end of his contract.