In their relentless quest to strengthen their squad, FC Barcelona have eyed a new opportunity to cover the right side of their squad. After a process of analysis and deliberation, Arnau Martínez from Girona has emerged as a promising candidate to reinforce the culé defence.
Before all eyes fell on Bernardo Silva, a meeting between the technical team and club management raised the need to reinforce the right wing at the back. Sources close to the club have revealed that up to four defenders have been contacted in the summer market: Manchester City’s Cancelo, Valladolid’s Fresneda, Villarreal’s Juan Foyth and Girona’s Arnau Martínez himself.
The FC Barcelona undercover for the right side: The chosen one of Xavi
Although several options have been considered, the balance seems to be in favor of the young Arnau Martínez. 20-year-old Blaugrana strategist Xavi Hernández believes Martínez is more developed compared to other alternatives. Girona’s youth squad has caught the attention of Atlético de Madrid, however, the negotiations could not go ahead due to different transfer prices. The player has a fixed starting price of 20 million euros, there is no room for negotiation.
Arnau Martínez’s profile is that of a full-back. His style of play, similar to that of Theo Hernández, features solid full-field coverage, including inside zones. While there are doubts about his ability to defend against dribbles, his defensive stats, including his counter-pressing moves, show his dedication to going off the ball.
Arnau Martínez also stands out with the ball at his feet. His numbers are impressive: 181 passes, 131 progressive passes, 3 goals scored, 4 assists and 40 chances created. These numbers underscore his versatility in attacking play and his ability to contribute in offense.
Despite the options under consideration, Arnau Martínez is emerging as the most stable and promising alternative to reinforce FC Barcelona’s right flank. His youth combined with his skills in both defense and attack could be an effective solution in one of the areas the team hopes to improve next season. The focus is on how the negotiations develop and whether Martinez will eventually become a new face at the Camp Nou.