Manchester City transfer news: Pep to battle Barcelona for £17m wonderkid

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Manchester City will reportedly rival FC Barcelona for the signing of Girona FC wonderkid Arnau Martinez, with the 19-year-old wanted by both European giants.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Pep Guardiola’s side are interested in signing the 19-year-old right-back, who has enjoyed a breakout season in La Liga with Martinez making 18 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan side, scoring twice and registering an assist.

With a release clause of €20m (£17m), it is only natural that interest has begun to mount for Martinez, with Barcelona, naturally, interested in signing the defender, with the report stating that Atletico Madrid are also in the conversation for the La Liga wonderkid.

Noted by Mundo Deportivo as an ‘exceptional’ talent, Girona being owned by City Football Group makes Guardiola’s Manchester side another obvious suitor for Martinez, with City having a great relationship with the top-flight Spanish club over the years.

Indeed, Martinez has proven to be an outstanding talent for Girona this season, with the fullback filling in at centre-back and on the right-wing as well for Michel’s side, and with City and Barcelona now interested in the teenager, a transfer battle could soon spark between the two clubs.

With both clubs having strong claims as to why they should sign Martinez, it will ultimately be up to the player himself on where he chooses to move too. However, on paper, Barcelona could be the better move for the 19-year-old Catalan youngster.

Arnau Martinez should sign for Barcelona over Manchester City

Sitting top of La Liga with one of the youngest squads in Europe, Xavi has fully turned things around at Barcelona with the Blaugrana on course to win their first league title since 2019, and for Martinez, joining the biggest club in Catalonia makes more sense than City.

As we have seen this season, Guardiola has already discovered City’s long-term fullback in Rico Lewis, and with Barcelona in need of a long-term right-back, Martinez is the perfect option to take up the mantel, with £17m also a fee that won’t break the bank for Xavi’s side.