Barcelona are reportedly still planning to move for Inigo Martinez this summer despite having concerns over the Athletic Bilbao centre-back's fitness problems.
The 31-year-old's contract at San Mames is due to expire at the end of June, and he continues to be heavily linked with a switch to Barcelona, with the club's head coach Xavi said to be a huge admirer.
According to Sport, Martinez is preparing to leave Athletic on a free transfer this summer, and the centre-back wants to move to Camp Nou despite interest from Atletico Madrid and the Premier League.
The report claims that Barcelona's medical team are being kept 'fully informed' when it comes to the defender's recovery from a foot problem which has kept him out since November.
Martinez is allegedly suffering with plantar fasciitis, which is a painful condition which involves the bottom of the foot, the heel and the arch.
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The issue has restricted the Spaniard to just 10 appearances in all competitions this season, and he has not featured for Ernesto Valverde's side since November.
Martinez last featured in La Liga on November 4, but he did play in the first round of the Copa del Rey nine days later.
The defender came through the youth system at Real Sociedad and went on to make 239 appearances for the club in all competitions, contributing 17 goals and eight assists in the process.
Martinez then arrived at Athletic in 2018, and he has represented the Lions on 169 occasions in all competitions.
The centre-back's experience in La Liga is believed to have made him an attractive proposition for Barcelona, having featured on 351 occasions in Spain's top flight during an impressive career.
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Martinez has also been capped on 19 occasions by Spain, although he has not featured for the national side since last June, missing out on a spot in the squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Addressing his future towards the end of last year, the defender said that he was "very happy" and "very comfortable" at Athletic.
"The subject is a bit tiring, but these are things that happen. I am happy here and I feel very comfortable. My future is still not clear at all," Martinez told Onda Vasca at the time.
"It is neither the time nor the place to talk about these issues of my renewal. I do not lose focus and I'm always giving my best for Athletic.
"I have a contract until the end of the season, I will fight and that is what God wants. I am very happy here, I come every day with a smile and I enjoy Bilbao. I feel loved."
Barcelona are currently well-stocked in the middle of their defence, with Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde options for head coach Xavi, while Marcos Alonso has also been used in that area this season.
Matt Law
