Xavi smiles: the first signing for Barça for the next season is confirmed.

Without more aspirations than to close LaLiga Santander in the best way and celebrate another title at the end of the season, FC Barcelona is already planning what the squad will be for next season. While they will have to make many economic adjustments and reduce the wage bill, the executives have already fulfilled the first request to Xavi Hernández, who is in search of a center-back who can provide greater solidity to his defense: Íñigo Martínez.

Relevo information, the Athletic Club defender has already passed the medical examinations with the Catalan team and only needs to sign his contract so that he can join after the end of the current season. This would be the first major signing of the coming season, with the goal of Barcelona returning to Europe's top level.

Martinez could have arrived at Barcelona in the last transfer market, but the transfer was stalled due to many difficulties in the negotiation. However, these problems have been resolved during these months and Xavi will finally have the center-back he has been asking for from the Barça board.

The contract would be until 2025 and both parties are happy to have reached an agreement. Íñigo had many doubts about making this decision after the 'Negreira Case' was opened, as he feared that he or the club could receive a sporting sanction. Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff intervened and convinced him that nothing will happen.

Another important detail is that according to Gerard Romero from Jijantes, Íñigo Martínez's wife has already been in the Ciudad Condal looking for a place where they can move with their family. It is only a matter of time before the 'blaugrana' team announces him as a new signing.

In terms of numbers, Íñigo Martínez has played sixteen matches in the current season, counting all the tournaments in which the Bilbao club has participated. He only managed to score one goal, which he scored against Real Valladolid in the 1-3 victory in Matchday 26 of LaLiga Santander.

When will Barcelona play again?

After the goalless draw against Girona, Barcelona will return to action on Sunday, April 16 when they visit Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez for matchday 29 of LaLiga Santander. The match is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and will be broadcast throughout Latin America by DIRECTV.