The transfer of Iñigo Martínez to Barcelona is imminent

Ernesto Valverde will be a Barcelona player in the coming hours. The club intensified their interest during last week to sign the player and the deal is on a good path. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu took the reins and spoke via telephone with Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay. Relations between both are very cordial, with the deal for Claudio Bravo satisfactory for both. 

Payment of 32 million

In that chat the president learned first-hand that Real Sociedad would not lower their demand from the 32 million of the player's release fee but achieved an agreement to make it a transfer rather than triggering the clause itself, freeing Barcelona from any VAT payments. 

Robert, in Guetaria

Sporting director Robert Fernandez headed to the Basque Country and had lunch in Guetaria, in between San Sebastian and Ondarra, where InigoM Martinez was born. The defender knows that if he signs for Barcelona he will have an important role, with a big chance of unseating Samuel Umtiti from the starting line up.

invisible

Inigo Martinez has not played in pre-season. The player had some muscle problems, from which he has now recovered more or less, and he is now ready to operate under Eusebio Sacristan. He did not feature in the 0-0 draw between Sociedad and Watford on Saturday, instead training back home to keep getting ready for the new season.

If the deal with Barcelona is not closed quickly for any reason, he might feature on Wednesday in the game against Burgos.