Barcelona are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez, with the centre-back identified as the club's number one target to replace Gerard Pique.
On Thursday evening, Pique announced that he would be leaving Barcelona and retiring from professional football following Saturday's contest with Almeria.
The 35-year-old had a contract at Camp Nou until June 2024, while he has made nine appearances for Xavi's side this term, but he will be departing the club over the weekend.
According to Sport, Pique's replacement has already been identified, with Martinez set to arrive at the club next year, most likely on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
The report claims that a January move for the Spain international has not been ruled out, but that is only likely to happen if the team suffer more defensive injuries.
© Reuters
Barcelona have allegedly been speaking to Martinez for 'several months', and they considered moving for him over the summer, but Athletic ultimately priced him out of a switch.
The 31-year-old will soon enter the final six months of his contract at San Mames and reportedly has no intention of signing and extension with the Basque outfit.
Martinez missed the start of the campaign with a knee problem but has been a key player since his return, featuring on eight occasions in La Liga.
The Spain international came through the youth system at Real Sociedad, initially turning out for their B side before making his first-team debut in 2011, and he ultimately represented them on 239 occasions before moving to Athletic in 2018.
Martinez has now made 167 appearances for the Lions, scoring seven goals and contributing seven assists, but he appears to be coming to the end of his time at the club.
© Reuters
A recent report claimed that Barcelona boss Xavi is a huge admirer of the defender's 'experience and character', viewing him as the ideal player to boost the squad for next season.
Martinez has also made 350 appearances in La Liga during his time at Real Sociedad and Athletic, while he has been capped on 19 occasions by Spain.
The centre-back has limited experience in terms of European football, though, only featuring on seven occasions in the Champions League and making just seven appearances in the Europa League.
Barcelona have had big defensive problems this season, with Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde all spending times on the sidelines through injury.
However, Christensen, Kounde and Garcia are all believed to be in with a chance of being in the squad against Almeria in La Liga on Saturday.
