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Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is relieved Barcelona chose not to sign their Spanish centre-back Inigo Martinez this summer. Barca were close to acquiring the 26-year-old last month, who attracted the attention of several top clubs after making 34 league starts to help them finish sixth in La Liga last season and qualify for the Europa League. Martinez was reportedly keen to join Barca but La Real were reluctant to sell him, claiming he was "irreplaceable," and they said that the player would only leave if a club paid his €32 million release clause. "It's been a very difficult summer for Inigo," Aperribay said during a news conference to celebrate the club's 108-year anniversary. "There were many clubs that had shown an interest in him and asked about him, especially Barcelona. "I spoke to the Barcelona president [Josep Maria Bartomeu] three times. The first time he said they were interested, the second time that we should be ready in case they came for him and the final call, they said that in the end they would not sign him. "We are delighted that Barca, whom I thank for being up front -- something that others are not -- backed down." Martinez, who has made 222 appearances since making his first-team debut in 2011, says he is happy to have stayed in San Sebastian but that at no time was he able to decide his future. "I knew that a lot of clubs wanted me but in the end, I didn't speak to any of them," Martinez told Noticias Gipuzkoa. "I never had the possibility to decide if I continued or I would leave. "When top clubs show an interest me, I don't feel satisfaction or pride but rather a sense that I've done a great job, not just this year but in the past. "I see myself as a starter at Barcelona and in any other club. "I never put pressure on the club to leave and I know there will be interest in the future because that's football, but I'm happy here, focused on doing well at La Real and excited about playing in Europe this season."
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