Analysis: Is Arnau Martinez the right-back that Real Madrid should be signing next summer?

Looking ahead to the 2024 summer transfer window, it is highly expected that one of the areas that Real Madrid will look to address is at full-back.

Alphonso Davies has been heavily linked with joining from Bayern Munich, and could well be available on a cut-price deal. If the Canadian does join, he would lock up the left-back position at Real Madrid for the next decade at least, which would be ideal for Florentino Perez.

Real Madrid look likely to address the right-back position too. Dani Carvajal has struggled to reach a consistent high level over the last 12 months, and if that continues to be the case this season too, there is a strong chance that a new first-choice right-back is looked for by the club’s sporting department.

Reece James, among others, has emerged as a possible candidate for Real Madrid, and he would be an excellent pick-up – injury record depending. However, they may go for a younger, cheaper option to compete with Carvajal, and there would not be many better in that regard that Arnau Martinez of Girona.

The 20-year-old is widely considered to be one of the most promising full-backs in Spanish football, and has been a regular starter for Girona over the past couple of years. He has lost his place this season in favour of Yan Couto, but that is more to do with the Brazilian having been excellent since joining on from Manchester City in the summer.

A report from 90min says that Real Madrid, along with Barcelona and Man City, are interested in signing Martinez, who would likely be available in the region of €10-15m. In the grand scheme of things, this could be a bargain.

Martinez has proven himself to be an excellent young option at La Liga level, and he would have no problem coming in as an initial backup to