Manchester City have reportedly entered the race to sign Girona full-back Arnau Martinez, who is also a target for Barcelona.
A product of the famed La Masia academy, the Spanish full-back failed to make the cut in the youth set-up and left Barcelona at the age of 14. He spent two years with CE L’Hospitalet before joining Girona, where the teenager has gone up the ranks and established himself as a key player in the senior team.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City are pushing to sign Girona’s Arnau Martinez but could face competition from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The owners of Man City also happen to own Girona, which should give Pep Guardiola an advantage in securing a deal for the young full-back.
Martinez, 19, made his senior team debut for Girona at the age of 17 in 2020 and has since not looked back, racking up 80 appearances in all competitions so far. He was instrumental in Girona’s promotion to La Liga last season. The teenager has registered two goals and an assist in 16 appearances this season, helping Michel’s side stay outside of the relegation zone.
Martinez has a contract with Girona until the end of the 2024/25 season, but the €20 million release clause in his contract can see him leave early.
Arnau Martinez to Man City—Good long-term option?
Manchester City are looking for a potential right-back who could eventually replace Kyle Walker. Walker has been a great servant for the Sky Blues since moving from Tottenham back in 2017. However, he is set to turn 33 in May and will have just one year on his contract at the end of the season.
Walker has only started nine Premier League games this season after picking up a groin injury before the World Cup break. In addition to that, the emergence of teenager Rico Lewis has limited the England international’s game time. As a result, his long-term future at Man City remains in doubt.
On Monday evening, reports of Joao Cancelo set to join Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the season came as a big surprise. Cancelo’s shock exit will leave Guardiola with Walker and Lewis as the only right-back options. So, Man City plotting a summer move for Arnau Martinez makes complete sense.
Martinez is a top talent who has impressed in Girona colours in the last couple of years. The Spanish under-21 international has displayed great potential and promise in his debut La Liga season, thereby, catching the eyes of a few top clubs including Man City. The teenager looks ideal to strengthen the Sky Blues’ defensive ranks, with Guardiola surely likely to benefit from bringing in a top young player as Walker looks past his best years and Cancelo allowed to leave the club for Bayern on loan.
And for a hugely talented player with great potential who has just a €20 million release clause in his contract, Man City must be all over the player and beat Barcelona to his signature in the summer.
