Barcelona prepare 'big' bid for Girona defender Arnau Martinez

A recent report from Spanish source Fichajes indicates that Martinez has captured Barcelona's attention, prompting the Catalan powerhouse to commit to the substantial fee for his services. This move positions Martinez as an attractive alternative to Barcelona's primary target, Joao Cancelo.

Hailing from Premia de Dalt in Catalonia, Martinez initiated his youth career in his hometown before spending the majority of his developmental years in Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy. Although he didn't ultimately graduate from La Masia, he embarked on his professional journey with Girona FC.

Martinez debuted for Girona's first team in December 2020. Since then, he has solidified his position within the Catalan club's ranks, notably contributing three goals and four assists across 35 appearances during the 2022/23 La Liga season.

Martinez's remarkable progress has captured the attention of prominent clubs, with reports predominantly linking him to both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The race for his signature is still ongoing, with both clubs steadfast in their pursuit.

Barcelona's determination to secure Martinez's services aligns with their prior signing of Oriol Romeu from Girona earlier this summer, and their continued interest in young talents like Martinez.

The latest reports suggest that Barcelona are willing to invest a substantial ‚¬30 million in securing Martinez's signature. However, the claims are intriguing considering the club's historical reluctance to commit similar sums for young talents, such as their pursuit of Ivan Fresneda.

Amidst these deliberations, Joao Cancelo remains Barcelona's principal target for the right-back position.

While Barcelona's readiness to offer a huge sum for Martinez is evident, Atletico Madrid's potential response adds an element of uncertainty to the scenario.

The Catalan giants' intentions to secure Martinez's talents are clear, yet the outcome may be influenced by Atletico's possible countermove.

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