According to a report by Correio da Manha, as relayed by Sport Witness, Martim Fernandes is the subject of interest from Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga giants are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit in the summer transfer window by signing a right-back after parting ways with Jeremie Frimpong. So, the 19-year-old FC Porto full-back sensation has emerged as a target for Die Werkself.
The Valongo native is also a target for Arsenal, with the North London outfit keen on signing the teenage prospect in the summer transfer window. However, the Gunners are falling behind Bayer Leverkusen in the battle, with the youngster having a release clause of €60 million in his contract with FC Porto.
Martim Fernandes is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. The 19-year-old has been with FC Porto since 2017 and progressed through the ranks at the Primeira Liga club before breaking into the first-team squad in the 2023/24 season. The youngster has turned out nearly 50 times thus far for FC Porto while chipping in with seven assists.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese full-back prospect’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the youngster has a release clause worth €60 million in his contract with FC Porto.
Martim Fernandes has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time. The Gunners want to bolster their defensive unit by signing a right-back in the summer transfer window. While Ben White and Jurrien Timber have been excellent in that position, Mikel Arteta wants a recognised option in the spot. So, the FC Porto wonderkid has emerged as a viable target for Arsenal.
As for Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga giants are scouring the market for a right-back this summer after selling Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool earlier this month. So, Fernandes has emerged as a viable target for Bayer Leverkusen, with Die Werkself “edging ahead” of Arsenal in the battle for his signature.
However, FC Porto’s asking price to sell Fernandes may be prohibitive, with Andre Villas-Boas uninterested in parting ways with him for less than his release clause of €60 million. So, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen can sign the 19-year-old Portuguese full-back prospect in the summer transfer window.
