Jules Kounde served as the team’s right-back for the majority of the previous campaign while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen covered the central defense, according to Xavi. Alejandro Balde completed the defense by forming the recognizable “B. A. C. K. quartet.
In fact, the 2022–23 Barcelona team is perhaps best remembered for its defense and, of course, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s heroics, which helped the team set a top–five league record with 26 clean sheets in a season.
The Catalans’ loan signing of Joao Cancelo from Manchester City this season has however altered the situation.
The team is not as strong defensively as it was last season, despite having unquestionably improved creatively.
However, the club had its sights set on Arnau Martinez of Girona before deciding to sign Cancelo.
The youngster also caught the attention of Real Madrid, but ultimately, neither team made a bid for him.
Both teams now have new competition in the form of Manchester City, who, according to a report by 90min, wants to strengthen their right-back position.
A Man wanted Arnau.
Arnau is being pursued by a number of teams, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Aston Villa.
Aside from those teams, the youngster has also recently drawn interest from Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli, AS Roma, and Bayern Munich.
Given that the player can play as a right-back, center-back, and even on the wing, all of these eyes on him only make sense.
Along with Jude Bellingham, Florian Wirtz, Alejandro Balde, and others, he is also a finalist for the 2023 Golden Boy award.
Madrid and Barcelona are still interested.
While Real Madrid and Barcelona are still interested in signing Arnau next summer, it should be noted that Girona is a member of the City Football Group and would probably give Manchester City priority in the event of an exit from the team.
The Spaniard is a young, quick, versatile, and athletic defender who fits Pep Guardiola’s ideal candidate profile.
He is similar to Kyle Walker but has more offensive depth.
Arnau, a La Liga player, has a €20 million release clause that may very well be exercised in the near future by a top club.
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