Barcelona and Real Madrid will reportedly face stiff competition from Manchester City for 20-year-old Girona defender Arnau Martinez.
According to a report by 90min, Arnau Martinez is becoming a popular figure in the market. The 20-year-old has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City keen on signing him from Girona.
Arnau Martinez is a former trainee in Barcelona’s La Masia division. The Spaniard spent several years in Barcelona’s academy but rose in prominence after joining Girona in 2018. He rapidly rose through the ranks at the Catalan club before making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in December 2020.
The 20-year-old has been a mainstay at the back for Girona since then, already racking up over 100 appearances while chipping in with six goals and 13 assists. But the youngster has yet to make his senior debut for Spain and currently turns out for the nation’s Under-21 side. Meanwhile, Martinez’s progress has not gone unnoticed.
The Spanish full-back has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs. Atletico Madrid even came close to securing Martinez’s services in the summer transfer window before a move failed to materialise. Meanwhile, the young defender is a target for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.
Barcelona will prioritise completing a permanent move for Joao Cancelo next summer. But recent reports have claimed that negotiations between Manchester City and Barcelona might become complicated. So, Martinez has emerged as a viable target for the Blaugrana. As for Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal’s advancing years have forced them into the market.
The veteran Spaniard is on the wrong side of 30 and has seen his performance levels drop in the last few seasons. Martinez is thus an option worth considering. Meanwhile, Manchester City will likely part ways with Cancelo on a permanent deal next year. So, they need a replacement for the Barcelona loanee, especially with Kyle Walker well into his thirties.
Meanwhile, other high-profile clubs are also starting to take note of Martinez’s talent. So, it will be interesting to see if Girona can keep hold of the 20-year-old Spaniard beyond the 2024 summer transfer window.