Valencia accelerates pursuit of Arnau Martínez

Valencia has stepped up its efforts to sign Arnau Martínez, the 23-year-old right-back from Girona, according to Mundo Deportivo. The operation has become urgent: with Dimitri Foulquier recovering from a knee injury and just two weeks before the league kicks off, Corberán has no available right-back in his squad.

The player has become the preferred alternative after negotiations with Thomas Meunier collapsed. Girona's drop to the Segunda División has set his release clause at around eight million euros, a figure Valencia hopes to reduce. The club is offering a five-year contract with improved wages that are getting closer to what the player wants. Martínez is starting to look more favourably on a move to Mestalla, though he would still prefer an option if a European club enters the race.

Valencia has financial breathing room: Peter Lim is considering capitalising a 35-million-euro loan he granted the club, which would increase their financial fair play margin.