Sport newspaper revealed the huge salary that Inigo Martinez will receive at Al-Nassr, which prompted him to ask Barcelona’s management to leave the Catalan club a year before the end of his contract.
On Saturday morning, Al-Nassr officially announced the signing of Martinez to bolster the center-back position, in a deal believed to be made to compensate for the expected departure of Aymeric Laporte.
Barcelona terminated the 33-year-old’s contract in order for him to leave for Al-Nassr on a free transfer, sparking some criticism of Joan Laporta’s management. However, Sport explained that the previous agreement between the player and the club stipulated that this would happen if a Saudi offer arrived.
At the same time, Martinez was receiving €12 million with Barcelona, but in reality, his salary was only €6 million due to a 50% deduction for the tax authorities under Spanish law.
With Al-Nassr, Martinez will earn €12 million after taxes, double his salary at Barcelona. This explains the player’s eagerness for this move, and the Barça management’s assessment that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the player’s career.
The Basque star will make his debut with Al-Nassr on August 19, when he and Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates face Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal in Hong Kong.
