As Girona defender Arnau Martinez continues to dazzle one and all with his scintillating performances this season, the trajectory of his demand has only escalated over the course of the campaign.
Martinez, a 19-year-old defender who has been used across multiple positions this season, is someone who has attracted Barcelona’s interest.
Since there is a shortage of quality right-backs in the market, Martinez’s experience of playing in La Liga is said to be one of the reasons why Barcelona are showing interest, along with his affordable release clause amount.
It must be noted that Martinez began his playing career with Barcelona, having joined the famed La Masia academy in 2010 before moving to Girona in 2018 after a spell at L’Hospitalet. Since making his senior team debut in 2020, the 19-year-old’s stocks have been on a rise.
With the summer transfer window approaching, SPORT reports that Barcelona retain an interest in Martinez, but the team is waiting to see what happens between Girona and Atletico Madrid.
It is believed that although Atletico Madrid have a verbal agreement in place with the right-back, the teams remain far off from the valuation of the player. Girona want to point out that the player has a €20 million termination clause which must be met, but Atletico want to lower the figure.
Barcelona, on their part, are willing to wait to see what happens between the two teams. Furthermore, it is said that Martinez really likes how Barcelona function and is also a big fan of Xavi, who happens to have the same feeling for the defender.
“I can’t talk about players for next year, he’s an interesting player, he’s having a great season and I’m glad, from here on nothing more,” said Xavi about Martinez earlier this month.
Martinez’s performance in the Catalan derby this past Monday, which ended in a 0-0 draw at Spotify Camp Nou, is further said to have firmed up Barça’s interest in the former La Masia full-back.
For the moment, Barcelona have not taken any step nor have they established contacts with the player’s representatives. As long as there is no resolution to the Girona-Atletico conflict, Barcelona will continue to be in the same state.
