According to Luis Canut of Mundo Deportivo, Manchester City are in a fight with Barcelona for Arnau Martínez. The 19-year-old plays for Girona of City Football Group and could have his €20m (£17.5m) release clause triggered by Barca.
Canut says Pep Guardiola wants ‘to retain’ Martinez, however, even though he has Kyle Walker who operates in his position. The Spanish U21 international was a Barcelona player in 2016 and might be keen to return after rising through the youth ranks to Girona’s first team.
Martinez has made 80 appearances for Girona, scoring five goals with nine assists. He’s been a regular under Míchel at the age of 19 (16/19 Liga appearances this season) and has a bright future ahead of him. But it remains to be seen whether City genuinely want him on their books.
Guardiola has Walker, Joao Cancelo and Rico Lewis who can operate in Martinez’s role, let alone John Stones and Manuel Akanji being able to play in the makeshift role, so City have enough options with signing the teenager. They’re unlikely to do big business in January too.
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