The reasons for Iñigo Martínez's unexpected departure from Barça: 14 million in salary, key factors

FC Barcelona fans experienced an afternoon marked by the unexpected departure of Iñigo Martínez this Thursday. The 34-year-old Spanish center-back was one of Hansi Flick's team's best players last season, vital to their La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs, and this summer he's headed to Al-Nassr in the Arab League.

The Basque player had one more season left on his contract, but ultimately won't fulfill it. The most surprising thing is that he's leaving Barça for free. The Saudi club won't pay a transfer fee to the Blaugrana club for him.

The main reason for this move is the salary cap, which is causing so much headache for Joan Laporta. The departure of Iñigo Martínez frees up €14 million in the squad's wage bill .

His departure will facilitate some pending signings. After Barça's Plan A failed with Ter Stegen's injury, as he refused to sign his medical report, which estimates he will be out for more than four months, the Blaugrana will be able to register players like Joan García and Marcus Rashford with this move.

Adding to Barça's strong point is the player's age. Iñigo Martínez is one of the most veteran players in the squad and is nearing the end of his career, so he could make way for younger players, especially considering he has a depth of defense.

If his departure is confirmed in the coming hours, the German coach will be left with Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen as pure center-backs, since Jules Kounde and Eric García are the two players used by Flick at right-back.

Although he was one of the team's best players last season, Iñigo Martínez was on the verge of leaving FC Barcelona in the summer of 2024 , also heading for Arab football. At that time, Hansi Flick convinced the Spaniard to stay, but he reportedly agreed with the club that if he received another offer, they would give him a deal.