Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently confirmed that a new right-back was high on the agenda for the club ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Catalans reinforced the position last summer with the signing of Hector Bellerin, but the defender is no longer at the club, having left for Sporting CP in January. Jules Kounde has assumed duties as the right-back and has done a brilliant job. But he wishes to play in his natural centre-back role.
Thus, a new right-back is being sought by the La Liga leaders, leading to links with a host of players such as Benjamin Pavard, Thomas Meunier, Juan Foyth and Diogo Dalot.
At the same time, there have been murmurs of interest in Girona right-back and former La Masia prospect Arnau Martinez.
But, according to Gerard Romero, Barcelona have no serious interest in the 19-year-old Martinez, who is performing admirably at Girona.
A former trainee at La Masia, the right-back left Barça’s youth setup in 2016 to sign for L’Hospitalet before eventually ending up at Girona in 2018. The teenager was a key part of their promotion-winning campaign last season and has impressed this term in his La Liga debut.
In 21 league games, Martinez has scored and assisted two goals and has put up accomplished displays against some of the most dangerous wingers in La Liga, including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
The 19-year-old has previously admitted that he would love to return to Barcelona, but only if a first-team role was offered to him.
However, as things stand, it does not seem like Martinez is seen as a priority candidate at Camp Nou, with Romero reporting that there is no serious interest in the Spaniard.
