Barcelona face Man City competition for top right-back target

Karan Tejwani

Updated: 29 Jan 2023 11:12 GMT
3 min read

Barcelona are looking for a right-back signing to help with their problems in that position but will face competition from Manchester City for one of their targets.

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The Blaugrana are on the look out for a new right-back as they have struggled in that position and used a variety of players in that position this season.

Hector Bellerin is the out-and-out option but he is set to leave the club in the summer as his contract won’t be extended at the end of the season.

READ: Barcelona have to cut €200m from their wage bill

They’ve also used other options like Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Sergi Roberto in that position but they want a permanent fix to the issue.

Barcelona to face Man City competition

Xavi’s side have now targeted Arnau Martinez, the La Masia trainee who is impressing with Girona in La Liga and has shown his immense potential.

Martinez is just 19 and is a target for Barcelona, with Xavi a fan of his attacking qualities and defensive awareness, making him an ideal fit for the squad.

READ: Why are La Liga blocking Gavi's registration?

However, their pursuit of the player may be complicated by the fact that Manchester City are also targeting the player, as Pep Guardiola is an admirer of Martinez’s talents.

Manchester City are already well-stacked in that position with Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and recently-emerged Rico Lewis able to play there, so Martinez may not be the biggest priority.

But given the English champions’ financial freedom and obvious quality, a move to England may still be more appealing, and Girona are part of the City Football Group as well.

🚨 Barcelona is closely monitoring Arnau Martinez, among options, as possible RB signing next season. He’s affordable for the club + Xavi rates him highly. In addition, Martinez has already said publicly he wouldn’t mind a return back to Barça. @sergidejuan9 #Transfers 🔍✨ pic.twitter.com/la50IT5Lv7
— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadRahman_) January 27, 2023

Martinez has a contract with Girona until the summer of 2025 and a release clause worth €20 million, which is great value for a player with big potential to become one of the league’s best in the future.

Other than Manchester City, Barcelona will also face competition from league rivals Atletico Madrid, so will have to move fast to get their man.