Sources: Martinez in advanced negotiations to join HEROIC, SunPayus rejected the offer

Initially rumored to be joining FaZe Clan, Antonio "Martinez" Martínezhas reached a verbal agreement with HEROIC instead of Simon "⁠yxngstxr⁠" Boije, sources tell Sheep Esports. Discussions regarding the buyout are still ongoing between HEROIC and Gentle Mates. The Spanish AWPer, who joined Gentle Mates last August, is now set to embark on a new project as the French organization prepares to shut down its Counter-Strike 2 division. First reported by HLTV.

According to sources close to Sheep Esports, Martínez was initially in advanced talks with FaZe Clan, but the move collapsed after FaZe and Gentle Mates failed to reach an agreement over the buyout. HEROIC then shifted its focus after missing out on Álvaro "SunPayus" García, who was also in talks with FUT Esports despite the organization being unable to finance the transfer.

Following a disappointing run at IEM Cologne, where the team exited almost as soon as the tournament began with a 28th-30th place finish, the Norwegian organization HEROIC has entered the offseason transfer market alongside many other clubs. Having spent most of his career with Spanish-speaking teams, the soon-to-be former Gentle Mates AWPer is now set for his first international experience.

The situation is different for M8. After weeks of reports suggesting the French organization was looking to part ways with its roster, Corentin "Gotaga" Houssein, one of the club's co-founders, confirmed that its Counter-Strike 2 division would be shut down. During a livestream on June 23, he explained that "leaving CS2 was the logical decision," adding that the club's unexpected return to the VCT EMEA on VALORANT, replacing KOI, ultimately forced it to abandon its original plans for Valve's FPS.