Nahuel Molina, the all-action right-back, enjoyed an outstanding 2022/23 campaign for both club and country. So much so that – amid interest from clubs in Italy and England – Atletico Madrid are already looking to extend a contract which still has a further four years left to run.
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TuttoJuve reports that Molina will be offered a new deal. One that could keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2029. Rising interest from elsewhere has certainly not gone unnoticed in the Spanish capital; Aston Villa, Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus all reportedly ‘ready to make a very high offer’ in the New Year.
Arsenal and Aston Villa eye Nahuel Molina
Molina scored four goals and set up four more in his debut season under Diego Simeone. The 25-year-old, at Aston Villa, would give Unai Emery some much-needed competition for Matty Cash. Arsenal, meanwhile, do not have a natural right-sided full-back. Although Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu – outstanding in Japan’s 4-1 hammering of Germany – are all capable of thriving in a wider role.
Interestingly, Arsenal were reportedly keen on Molina before he left Udinese for Atletico Madrid in 2022. The Gunners even went as far as to make a bid, per Marca. Atletico won the race, however; stumping up £14 million while sending Nahuel Perez to Udinese as part of the deal.
A release clause of just £25 million, however, makes Atleti particularly vulnerable should Arsenal renew their interest in the coming months.
“My favourites are (Liverpool’s Trent) Alexander-Arnold, Reece James of Chelsea and the Man City duo of (Joao) Cancelo and (Kyle) Walker,” Molina once told Tuttosport, his admiration for some of Europe’s most talented attacking full-backs reflected in his own swashbuckling approach.
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