BARCELONA are lining up a transfer for Inigo Martinez in order to replace Gerard Pique, according to reports.
Pique announced he would be leaving Barcelona and retiring from football in a heartfelt video posted to social media earlier this week.
Athletic Bilbao defender Martinez is the man they want to replace their outgoing legend.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that a verbal agreement has already been agreed between Barca and the 31-year-old to join next summer.
However, Pique’s retirement will accelerate these plans, with the Blaugrana looking to acquire Martinez on the cheap in winter instead.
On top of his early exit, Pique has agreed to waive the remainder of his contract and instead only collect what he was owed in deferred payment.
This gesture is set to save the struggling club a whopping £44million.
Martinez’s Bilbao contract runs out in the summer of 2023, and Bilbao would likely welcome the opportunity to raise some funds if Martinez has no intention of signing a new deal.
The Spaniard joined the Basque club from Real Sociedad in 2018.
Bilbao famously employ an exclusive regional recruitment policy.
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This means that only players who were born in the Basque region of Spain or who learnt their skills at a Basque club may represent them.
Antoine Griezmann is one such player who fell into the latter category after being developed by neighbours Real Sociedad.
