Barcelona defensive target says he’s open to a Real Madrid switch in the summer

Arnau Martinez has become one of the most sought-after young defenders in Spain right now, having enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence over the past year and a half.

From playing in the third division, Martinez has become a first-team regular at Girona in La Liga and was even included in Luis Enrique’s preliminary squad for the World Cup 2022.

In light of his success, Martinez has been targeted by a host of clubs across Europe, including Barcelona. It appears the Catalans are keen on bringing back the youngster, who was a part of the club’s flagship youth program earlier on in his career.

In a recent interview, Martinez has talked about his future, where he addressed the transfer rumours to Barcelona. He also talks about the possibility of joining Real Madrid, despite having a Barça background.

“It’s a compliment to be associated with such a big club. But I don’t know if everything they say is true or false,” said Matinez (h/t Diario AS) when asked about a move to Barcelona.

A right-back by trade, Martinez left the Barcelona academy in 2016, in favour of a move to Hospitalet Youth. He eventually joined Girona in 2018 and has since racked up 74 competitive appearances for the club.

Martinez, though, does not ruled out a move to Real Madrid despite his Barcelona background. “Would I close the door on Madrid? I don’t close the door on anyone. I want to compete in the best way in the best team. Whether it’s Madrid or Barça,” he said.

Just like Barcelona, Real Madrid are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements, with Martinez being one of the targets. However, it remains to be seen whether or not they can convince the player to opt for a move to the capital, ahead of a fabled return to Camp Nou this January.