Crystal Palace to battle Juventus in the race to sign 22-year-old defender | OneFootball

Crystal Palace to battle Juventus in the race to sign 22-year-old defender | OneFootball

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·5 agosto 2025

Crystal Palace to battle Juventus in the race to sign 22-year-old defender

Immagine dell'articolo:Crystal Palace to battle Juventus in the race to sign 22-year-old defender

Juventus Eye Girona’s Arnau Martinez Amid Right-Back Crisis

Pressure Mounts on Tudor Ahead of Season Opener

Juventus find themselves scrambling for a right-back just weeks before the new season begins. Following the sale of Timothy Weah to Marseille, the Bianconeri are suddenly short-staffed in a crucial defensive position. Currently, new boss Igor Tudor “can currently only count on the newly arrived Joao Mario”, a situation that leaves the club dangerously exposed.

While Joao Mario may prove a capable asset in time, Juventus need immediate reinforcement. With the fixture list looming, there is little room for error.


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Arnau Martinez Emerges as Prime Target

Tuttosport reports that Damien Comolli is already deep into the search for a solution. The most prominent name on the shortlist? Girona’s Arnau Martinez.

“With the hottest option appearing to be Girona’s Arnau Martinez.” It is a quote loaded with intent. The 21-year-old Spaniard, born in 2003, is widely tipped to leave his Catalan club this summer after a string of impressive displays.

Premier League Clubs and AC Milan Also in the Mix

Juventus are not alone in their admiration. Martinez who has reportedly received “several positive comments from Premier League clubs such as Crystal Palace and even AC Milan.” That interest is understandable. The right-back’s balance of defensive maturity and attacking thrust makes him an attractive option for clubs seeking modern full-backs with versatility.

Urgency Defines Comolli’s Strategy

“It’s a situation worth considering, but one the Bianconeri want to be ready for as the season begins, which is rapidly approaching.” Time is of the essence. With Turin’s top brass expecting a stronger league campaign, Martinez would be a statement of ambition.

Comolli knows this is no time for indecision.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

There is real buzz building around this report. Arnau Martinez is not just a promising full-back, he is the type of profile Juventus have lacked since Joao Cancelo. Technically adept, tactically smart, and only 21, his ceiling is massive. For Juventus to be leading this race feels significant.

Damien Comolli working with such urgency shows intent. This is no longer the static, reactionary Juventus we saw in recent years. There is movement, purpose and a genuine recruitment plan under Tudor. Fans can see the logic. The exit of Weah felt odd at first, but bringing in Martinez would change the narrative.

Concerns? Sure. Premier League money talks and AC Milan have Champions League football. But this is Juventus. History still carries weight. And with Joao Mario untested, there’s no way the club can go into the season without a top-tier right-back.

Martinez might not be a household name yet, but this is the kind of signing that wins back fan trust. Not flashy, not PR-driven. Just proper football business.

If Comolli pulls this off, it’ll be a major early win for Tudor’s project in Turin.

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