Who is Manchester United right-back target Arnau Martinez

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Manchester United have scouted Girona right-back Arnau Martinez, HITC Football understands.

HITC Football understands that Aaron Wan Bissaka is in talks with Manchester United over a new long-term contract with the club keen on tying him down rather than triggering the extension in his deal.

If these talks break down, however, right-back targets are understood to have been scouted in recent weeks and one of these is the relatively unknown Girona right-back Arnau Martinez.

As well as Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong, Martinez is the lesser-known option out of the three but just who is the Spanish defender?

Arnau Martinez profiled

At just 20 years of age, the Spaniard has made 11 appearances for Girona in La Liga this season as they currently sit second in the division after an incredible first half of their campaign.

Girona are one of Manchester City’s affiliate sides and this therefore means that the Spanish side have a great infrastructure at the club, similar to how well the Manchester club is run.

Formerly of Barcelona’s academy set-up, Martinez joined Girona’s youth setup in 2018 and has worked his way through the ranks before being given first-team opportunities in April of 2021.

As well as playing at right-back, the defender is very versatile and can line up as a centre-back as well as a right-midfielder, which could well be an appealing benefit for Erik ten Hag, if the club did pursue a move.

His contract at the Spanish club expires next summer but it is unclear if the La Liga side have the option to extend that deal by a further year.

It’s unclear if Girona and the City group would be keen on interest from Manchester United.

Wan-Bissaka stay more likely

After Diogo Dalot extended his contract at Old Trafford a few months back, extending Wan-Bissaka would surely signal the end of United’s pursuit of a right-back.

Once again, Wan Bissaka has performed admirably for the Red Devils when he has been called upon with Dalot, too, impressing as a left-back when required.

Martinez could well be an interesting option for the future but if these contract talks lead to an extension in Wan-Bissaka’s deal, you would expect that to be the end of United’s interest in the Spaniard.