Three Barcelona first-team stars who will become free agents in 2025 | OneFootball

As Barcelona look forward to the 2024-2025 season, the club faces important decisions regarding the futures of three key players.

These players’ contracts are set to expire in June 2025, forcing Barça to review their situations during the upcoming season. The club has 28 players registered for this campaign, and for these three players, decisions on their futures will need to be made soon.

While two of these players have automatic contract extension clauses based on matches played, one will require direct negotiations with his representatives to sort out his future. Here’s a breakdown of who these players are and what could happen in the near future.

Inigo Martinez

Inigo Martinez’s contract will expire in 2025. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Inigo Martinez, a veteran central defender, is one of the players whose contract ends in June 2025. However, his situation comes with an optional season extension.

This extension kicks in automatically if he plays 60% of Barcelona’s matches, with the condition that he plays a minimum of 45 minutes in those games.

Given his age (33), this clause could be a crucial factor in determining his future at the club. If Martinez can maintain fitness and form, ensuring he plays in enough games, his contract will be extended for another year.

His experience and defensive leadership will be valuable to the club, especially with younger players looking up to him. However, his ability to maintain his form and avoid injury will be the key to whether this extension happens.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski has certain clauses in his contract. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona’s star forward, also has his contract expiring in June 2025. Much like Martinez, Lewandowski’s contract has an automatic extension clause based on performance.

In his case, the extension kicks in if he plays 55% of the club’s matches, also with the requirement of playing a minimum of 45 minutes per game.

At 36 years old, Lewandowski’s situation is slightly more delicate. While he remains one of the best strikers in the world, age could start catching up with him.

That being said, his fitness and professionalism are well-known, and if he continues to deliver consistent performances, his contract is likely to be extended automatically.

However, the club will have to consider whether relying on a 36-year-old forward for another season aligns with their long-term strategy.

With young talent emerging in the forward line, the automatic extension might not be entirely in the hands of Lewandowski’s performances. Barcelona will need to weigh their options carefully, balancing his undeniable talent with the need to look ahead to the future.

Gerard Martin

Gerard Martin will negotiate a contract renewal with Barcelona soon. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Gerard Martin’s situation is slightly different from that of Martinez and Lewandowski. At 22 years old, the young left-back is seen as a promising player for the future.

His contract, too, ends in June 2025, but unlike the other two players, there is no automatic extension clause in place. Instead, Martin’s future at the club will depend on direct negotiations between Barcelona and his representatives.

He has recently been given a key role by Hansi Flick, as he is expected to be the backup to Alejandro Balde in the left-back position. Both the club and the player are reportedly eager to extend his stay, and negotiations are expected to move forward soon.

The player’s agents are waiting for the club to initiate talks, and at present, both sides are confident that a deal will be reached.

For the player, securing an extended contract will be a significant step in his development as a player. If he continues to impress as Balde’s understudy, the negotiations could go smoothly, and he could cement his place in the squad for years to come.