Joan Laporta explains Barcelona’s decision to sell Iñigo Martínez

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has provided an insight into the reasoning behind the club’s decision to allow Iñigo Martínez to depart.

The name of defender Iñigo of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya’s capital late this past week.

As much comes after word was forthcoming that, somewhat out of the blue, the 34-year-old was on the verge of bringing a close to the Barcelona chapter of his career.

In the face of a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia, Iñigo made the call to move on for one final pay day.

Barcelona, for their part, did not stand in the way of the stopper’s exit, opening the door for as much courtesy of a contract termination.

This decision came as something of a surprise, with Iñigo having played a leading role in Hansi Flick’s XI last season.

Speaking to the media on the back of Sunday’s Joan Gamper Trophy match, the subject of this call was in turn put to the aforementioned Joan Laporta.

And Barca’s president went on to explain:

“I guess Iñigo Martinez would have liked to stay for another season, but he’s 34 and the opportunity he got doesn’t come often, only once in a career.

“Iñigo signed for us on a free transfer, and we had previously discussed with him that if a situation like this arose, saving his salary would help us with the financial fair play rules. Therefore, I wish him the best of luck.”

Conor Laird – GSFN