Arsenal and Man City Tracking Rising Club World Cup Defender – Sources

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are among several top European clubs pursuing promising Porto defender Martim Fernandes, TEAMtalk understands.

Fernandes, a highly regarded 19-year-old right-back, is currently featuring for Porto in the Club World Cup in the United States, where his performances have drawn attention from scouts and football executives alike. Known for his composure, technical ability, and defensive intelligence, the youngster has impressed across the 2024/25 season with consistent displays in both domestic and European competitions.

Sources indicate that Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen have been closely monitoring Fernandes for nearly a year, viewing him as a long-term prospect with the potential to develop into a top-tier full-back. Both clubs have followed his progress step by step, with regular scouting reports and evaluations to determine the right time to make a move.

Napoli have also expressed interest, recently making enquiries about the teenager’s availability as they seek to strengthen their defensive line for the future.

TEAMtalk can now reveal that Manchester City have formally joined the race, with Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff adding Fernandes to their list of emerging defensive talents. City are reportedly assessing whether the youngster could be integrated into their evolving squad strategy over the next few seasons.

With multiple European giants circling, Porto may face mounting pressure this summer to make a decision on Fernandes’ future as his reputation continues to grow on the global stage.