MX23RW : Wednesday, December 4 08:19:12| >> :120:20381:20381:

Arsenal, Manchester City to battle Barcelona for Nahuel Molina?

Arsenal, Man City to battle Barcelona for Nahuel Molina?
© Reuters
Arsenal and Manchester City both express an interest in signing Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina, according to a report.

Arsenal and Manchester City are both reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina.

The 25-year-old made the move to the Red and Whites from Udinese last summer, and he impressed during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring four goals and registering four assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

Molina was on the scoresheet in Atletico's last match in La Liga - a 7-0 win over Rayo Vallecano - while he played the full 90 minutes in both of Argentina's World Cup qualifiers during the international break.

A recent report claimed that Barcelona made a strong push to sign the right-back during the summer transfer window, with Xavi's side said to have had multiple offers rejected.

Molina was allegedly the Catalan outfit's first-choice target at right-back, but a deal could not be agreed, with Joao Cancelo moving on loan from Man City on transfer deadline day.

Nahuel Molina in action for Atletico Madrid on October 12, 2022© Reuters

According to Fichajes, the Argentine's agent has been contacted by both Arsenal and Man City, with the Premier League duo expressing an interest in his signature.

The report claims that the World Cup winner's representatives are set to meet with Atletico in the coming days to discuss his future ahead of a possible departure in 2024.

Molina does have a release clause in his contract, although the exact amount is unclear, with some reports placing the buy-out fee at around €90m (£77.4m).

Atletico are in a strong position when it comes to the defender's future, meanwhile, as he has another four years left to run on his contract, having penned a five-year deal last summer.

Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates scoring their first goal with Antoine Griezmann, Nahuel Molina and teammates on January 15, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona are still said to be keen on the South American and could potentially revisit their interest during next summer's transfer window.

Cancelo is only on loan at Camp Nou, although the Catalan outfit's new director of football Deco has said that a permanent move could occur in 2024.

A switch for Cancelo to Barcelona could actually open the door for Man City to move for Molina, with the Premier League champions looking for a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, is also believed to be keen to bring a new right-back to the club.

Molina represented Boca Juniors ahead of a switch to Udinese, and he featured on 68 times for the Italian outfit, scoring 10 goals and registering 10 assists, before completing a move to Wanda Metropolitano.

ID:523887:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5250:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Nahuel Molina

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Joao Felix during the warm up before the match on September 3, 2023
Read Next:
Barcelona open to permanent deals for Cancelo, Felix
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1311112681834
2Arsenal1374226141225
3Chelsea1374226141225
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton136522217523
5Manchester CityMan City137242219323
6Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest136431613322
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1362528141420
8Brentford136252623320
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd135441713419
10Fulham135441818019
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135441414019
12Aston Villa135441922-319
13Bournemouth135352019118
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham144371827-915
15Leicester CityLeicester143471928-913
16Crystal Palace142661218-612
17Everton132561021-1111
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves132382232-109
19Ipswich TownIpswich141671325-129
20Southampton1312101025-155


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!