Arsenal, Manchester City to battle Barcelona for 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.

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.

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.