Xavi smiles at Barça: he has his first signing for 2023/24 and undergoes a medical examination.

However, Xavi is not satisfied. The blaugrana strategist wants to continue on the path of success in the upcoming season and he already has his first request secured. It's Íñigo Martínez, the defender from Athletic Club de Bilbao whose contract was expiring this year and he already announced to the club that he wasn't going to continue.

So this is a perfect opportunity for Barça to sign a quality reinforcement at no cost and although there hasn't been an official announcement yet, everything indicates that Martínez is the new Barcelona player. At least, that's what Fabrizio Romano confirms.

According to the journalist, Barcelona has closed the signing of Íñigo from Athletic as a free agent. In fact, the center-back has already completed his medical examination at the club weeks ago and his officialization will come immediately when LaLiga gives the green light to register him.

After Gerard Piqué's departure, the Spotify Camp Nou got down to work to find a reinforcement that adds competition to Ronald. In that regard, the arrival of Iñigo to Barça would be an explicit request from Xavi in order to strengthen the rotation in the center of defense.

If the signing is confirmed, the center-backs at Barça will be five with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Iñigo Martínez, Eric Garcia, and Marcos Alonso, considering the ex-Chelsea player already as a center-back and Jules Kounde already as a full-back. Of those mentioned, Eric Garcia is the one who has enjoyed the least prominence. Therefore, there is talk of him leaving the team as he hasn't convinced the coach.

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