Arnau Martínez still in Valencia CF plans despite Pablo Maffeo arrival | OneFootball

Valencia CF’s pursuit of Arnau Martínez remains active despite Pablo Maffeo’s arrival, though the pace and negotiations have shifted.

According to Superdeporte, Valencia still intend to add Arnau for the right side. He fits either a back three or a defensively minded full-back role, and Maffeo’s signing mainly reduces urgency for a berth that had been vacant.

There is an agreement on the table with the Catalan defender and he wants to play for Valencia CF this season. He has informed Girona and, despite his professionalism and gratitude, he is set to play this Friday because of their defensive shortages, while hoping the clubs can finalise the transfer.

Valencia value him as a sturdier defensive full-back with strong tactical discipline, fitting a plan that alternates between a back three and a back four in an asymmetric set-up. The left-back pushes high, the right-back narrows, and the right winger covers longer ground, almost as a wing-back.

Within that structure, Arnau can operate as the right-sided centre-back or as a conservative right-back, less attacking than Maffeo.

The roadmap has been to recruit two right-backs and that remains intact, albeit with priorities reshuffled after signing the former Mallorca player. The winger position still requires resolution.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”