Barcelona right back Martin Montoya has been unhappy at the club for some time now after having fallen down the pecking order since Luis Enrique took over the mantle of manager. The Spaniard has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus and could jump the ship as early as January despite Barcelona’s transfer embargo which will not let them sign players for the next two transfer windows.
Montoya’s agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco said that Cup games will not be enough as the 23-year old wants to start more games in the league, “Martin playing in the Cup does not change anything; he wants to start and Barcelona know it.”
The La Masia graduate has made just two appearances this season; one each in the League and the recent game in Copa Del Rey as his side beat Huesca 8-1. He could start in the upcoming cup games as well since Barcelona will focus on the domestic League and Champions League.
Montoya is currently the side’s fourth choice right back as Dani Alves, Adriano and Douglas are ahead of him. He had impressed in the last two seasons and made 42 appearances despite Alves being at his peak. He had even signed a contract extension in March this year that will keep him at the club until 2018. There was a clause of €20m in his contract, but he could leave for a significantly lower fee than that.
Liverpool could be the favourites to sign Montoya come January as there are no indications that they’ll extend Glen Johnson’s contract which expires in the summer. With Javier Manquillo failing to impress so far, Brendan Rodgers could go for Montoya in January rather than waiting until June. Arsenal have had a lot of injuries in the defensive unit so far and considering their poor injury record, they could launch a bid as well.