Barcelona have announced that Inigo Martinez has extended his contract at Camp Nou for a further year, with the experienced centre-back's deal now running until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Martinez has been a vital player for Barcelona this season, making 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and registering four assists in the process, but there had been speculation surrounding his future.
The Spaniard's contract at Camp Nou had been due to expire at the end of June, but it has now been confirmed that his deal has been extended until June 2026, with Barcelona revealing that an agreement has been in place for some time.
"FC Barcelona has exercised the option to extend the contract of first team player Inigo Martinez, who will remain linked to the Club until June 30, 2026," read a statement from Hansi Flick's side.
"The agreement between both parties had been closed for months, but was pending his registration in the Professional Football League (LFP). FC Barcelona wants to publicly express its satisfaction after securing the continuity of the Basque defender for another season."
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Martinez signs contract extension at Barcelona until June 2026
Martinez made the move to Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2023, and he has featured on 58 occasions for the Catalan giants, scoring three times and registering four assists in the process.
Atletico Madrid have recently been credited with an interest in Martinez, but news of his contract extension will end the capital outfit's chances of securing his signature at the end of the campaign.
The Spaniard started both legs of Barcelona's Champions League last-16 tie against Benfica, but he has been an unused substitute for the team's last two league matches against Las Palmas and Real Sociedad.
Indeed, Barcelona head coach Flick currently has three outstanding centre-backs to fill two spots, with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo also battling to be named in the starting side in the middle of the defence.
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Will Szczesny sign a new deal at Barcelona?
Barcelona now only have one first-team player out of contract this summer, with Wojciech Szczesny, as it stands, set to leave Camp Nou at the end of June, but it would not be a surprise to see him sign a new deal.
The 34-year-old has been outstanding since being handed the gloves, keeping eight clean sheets in 15 appearances, and the experienced goalkeeper is likely to be handed a new deal despite the fact that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be back to fitness for next season.
Barcelona have 10 players out of contract in the summer of 2026, meanwhile, including Lamine Yamal, but the outstanding 17-year-old is soon expected to pen a fresh contract with the Catalan giants.
Matt Law
