How Hansi Flick can assure Barcelona veteran’s contract renewal

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is set to play a central role in the future of a leading member of the club’s defensive ranks with a view to next season.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who point towards Iñigo Martínez as the player in question.

Stopper Iñigo, for his part, is fresh off a surprisingly prominent start to the new campaign.

Owing to a series of injury problems at the heart of Barcelona’s backline, the Spaniard has been afforded starts in all four of the Blaugrana’s La Liga outings to date.

Not only that, but, along the way, Iñigo has taken on the role of his side’s vocal leader at the back.

Hansi Flick, for one, appears to have been thoroughly impressed by the contributions of his experienced defender, whose potential late-window move to Saudi Arabia was stopped dead in its tracks by the club.

And, should the German continue to rely so heavily on Iñigo over the remainder of the season, he will play a direct role in the former Athletic Club standout staying put.

As revealed by Mundo Deportivo, Iñigo will be afforded the option to extend his expiring contract for a further year next summer, in the case of certain on-pitch objectives being met.

The objectives in question? Playing for a minimum of 45 minutes in 60% of Barcelona’s fixtures across all competitions this season.

Conor Laird | GSFN