La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a summer move for 19-year-old Girona right-back Arnau Martinez.

According to a report by Futbol Total, Arnau Martinez is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the 2023 summer transfer window. With Trent Alexander-Arnold being too expensive, the Blaugrana will likely trigger the release clause to land the 19-year-old Girona right-back.

Arnau Martinez has spent his entire career thus far in Catalonia. The teenage prodigy spent his formative years with four Catalan clubs, including Barcelona, where he spent six years. And the Spanish right-back graduated from the Girona academy last year after making his first-team debut in December 2020.

The 19-year-old is now a regular for Girona, turning out nine times in La Liga for the newly-promoted outfit. Martinez has also scored twice along the way, and his progress has not gone unnoticed. Several top Spanish clubs want to sign the youngster, with Barcelona among his prospective suitors.

Barcelona let Sergino Dest join AC Milan on loan in the summer transfer window. And with Dani Alves departing Camp Nou as a free agent, the Blaugrana did not have a right-back at the start of the season. While Hector Bellerin arrived from Arsenal on deadline day, he has not been consistent thus far.

Sergi Roberto is the other right-back at Xavi Hernandez’s disposal. But the veteran utility man is struggling to overcome his fitness issues. Barcelona will thus have to delve into the market for a right-back next year to avoid using a centre-back on the right flank. Arnau Martinez has thus emerged as a viable target.

The Catalan giants have been keeping tabs on the 19-year-old Spanish right-back’s progress at Girona. And they are ready to pull the trigger by activating Martinez’s release clause next summer. The decision has come after it emerged that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was too expensive for Barcelona.

Diogo Dalot has been another right-back on Barcelona’s radar. But the Portuguese international is an “impossible target” for the Blaugrana and will not leave Manchester United. So Martinez will likely bolster the right-back berth at Camp Nou next summer.

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