Martin Montoya is open to a move away from Barcelona according to his agent.
Montoya’s representative, Jose Maria Orobitg, revealed the 22-year-old right-back is concerned about the lack of first-team opportunities currently at Barca as Dani Alves remains first-choice
Arsenal were linked with a move for the Spaniard during the summer transfer window, with Arsene Wenger unsure of Bacary Sagna’s movement after the end of the current campaign.
But despite Wenger not getting his hands on the full-back, the Frenchman has been given a big boost in his pursuit of Montoya after Orobitg said:
‘For the moment he is under contract with FC Barcelona until the end of the season.
‘However, the contract extension has still not arrived.
‘We have talked but there is no certainty that Martin Montoya would hold down a first-team spot, because right now Daniel Alves closes the door.’
Reports claim Sagna will be offered a new deal, but it remains to be seen if the French right-back accepts what’s comes to the table.
In any case, with Montoya’s contract set to expire in summer 2014 and no signs of a new deal being offered by Barca, Wenger should jump at the chance to sign the young right-back – even if Sagna remains at the club longer.
We need to start thinking of the future. Sagna will be 31 in February and looks to have lost a yard of pace over the last year or two. We already have a very capable replacement in Carl Jenkinson. But bringing in Montoya will not only offer more competition and keep the likes of Jenko and Sags on their toes but also bolster our squad and offer more options to Wenger.
Liverpool are also believed to be interested in Montoya.
