Barcelona deal BLOCKED as financial problems continue

Tom Weber

Updated: 15 Feb 2025 19:43 GMT
3 min read

Hansi Flick, Barcelona, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Barcelona are unable to hand Inigo Martinez a new contract because they have once again reached their salary cap, according to Spanish media.

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The Blaugrana believed that they had overcome the worst of their economic issues when they returned to the vaunted 1:1 rule, allowing them to spend their income freely again after years of austerity measures.

However, LaLiga's stringent financial rules, particularly the salary cap of Spain's top flight, are once more causing Barcelona trouble. According to MARCA, the Catalans are unable to extend Inigo Martinez's expiring contract.

The defender has been one of the big success stories of Hansi Flick's time in charge, establishing himself as a guaranteed starter under the German despite having been a forgotten man during his first season at the club.

Martinez's deal is up at the end of the season, although there is a clause to automatically extend it if he plays 45 minutes in 60 per cent of Barcelona's games, a figure he is expected to reach easily.

© IMAGO - Ronald Araujo and Inigo Martinez

Barcelona can't extend Martinez's deal

However, Barcelona have already informed the player and his camp that they would keep him even if he were not to match that criteria. Unfortunately, the club have found out that they do not have the space in their salary cap to do this.

After agreeing lucrative new contracts for star players Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi, Barcelona are already at the limit of their spending capabilities for next season, the Spanish outlet claims.

Barcelona are trying to find a solution with LaLiga, but considering that the league is still on a crusade against the club's registration of Dani Olmo, Javier Tebas and company may not be too sympathetic.

Barcelona are also considering extending the contract of Wojciech Szczesny beyond the current campaign as he has now officially replaced Inaki Pena as the club's No.1 in the absence of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.