AsBarcelonastep up their pursuit of a new right-back, their search seems to have led to a familiar name in the form of Arnau Martinez of Girona.
Indeed,Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivois ɾєρօɾτing thatBarçaare once again looking at Martinez as an option as there are difficulties in pursuit of their other targets.
Joao Cancelo has been the main option, but the economics of the Ԁєɑł are a hindrance while the Portuguese international isattracting offers from Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Ivan Fresneda does not generate complete consensus within the club, especially with manager Xavi Hernandez, who thinks he lacks experience.
As for Juan Foyth,Villarreal’s €54.6 million demandsput him out of reach for the La Liga champions.
Arnau Martinez a viable option
As such,Barcelonahave turned their attention towards Martinez, with the ɾєρօɾτ claiming that, unlike Fresneda, the 20-year-old generates consensus within the club.
A former trainee of the club’sLa Masiayouth setup, Martinez left in 2016 to join the L’Hospitalet academy before єɴԀing up at Girona in 2018.
Having made his first-team breakthɾօυɢҺ at the Catalan club, he helped them achieve promotion back to La Liga and enjoyed a fine debut campaign in the top flight, bagging three goals and four assists in 33 appearances.
Although he is still young, Xavi believes that Martinez has developed more than Fresneda and the club also sees the 20-year-old’s return favourably.
Martinez open to return
Martinez, whose contract expires in 2025, has previously spoken about rejoiningBarcelona, suggesting that he would be open to a return as long as it was for a first-team spot.
“If I return it will be to the first team. Obviously, I would like to return toBarça, but I would like to go to any of the big clubs, which are the best in the world,”Martinezsaid.
But his release clause stands at €20 million and Girona have no intentions of negotiating, which poses an issue.
After all, not long ago Atletico Madrid tried to sign him with offers starting from €12 million and going up until €18 million, but Girona shot them down.
