Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte and GM Jon Berasategi has defended the club over Inigo Martinez's move to Barcelona.

The defender is joining Barca as a free agent after being blocked from making the move for the past two transfer windows.

At a media conference today, Uriarte said: I knew Iñigo's representative. We met on July 11, a cordial meeting, a meal, and I reiterated my interest in Iñigo renewing, also later by messages, and he told me that he had an offer from an important club and he wanted to leave. For us it was important not only that Iñigo not leave, but that he stay with us."

Berasategi also said: "We received a call from that club (supposedly Barça), an executive told us that he was interested in Iñigo, we told him that he is vital for us and we did not receive offer from that club in that call. Athletic has not received any offer for Iñigo. The summer passes, the player wants to leave and his representative tells us that 'Iñigo is in no way going to renew with Athletic' and that we refrain from asking for offers. Then there have been approaches that have been unsuccessful."

Uriarte's conclusion on this matter is clear and resounding: "It is clear who wanted the player to stay and who wanted to leave."