Martin Montoya Barcelona Talks Reportedly Stall Amid Liverpool and Arsenal Talk

Martin Montoya's future at Barcelona appears in doubt, with no progress on a new contract, as reported by Miguel Rico of Mundo Deportivo, via Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC.

The full-back's current deal expires at the end of the season, making him free to interact with potential new employers in January.

As Corrigan writes, Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan have all been attributed an interest in the past and will doubtlessly be monitoring this situation carefully.

The 22-year-old Spanish Under-23 international has only featured in 28 La Liga games over the past three seasons, starting just five this current campaign.

He remains firmly down the pecking order for Gerardo Martino and despite Andoni Zubizarreta recently pledging to keep Montoya—quoted as saying, "And with Montoya we are also going well," via Catalan station TV3 (h/t Corrigan)—it seems that's not the case.

Mundo Deportivo reports that no progress is being made over a new contract offer for Montoya and accentuate the fact that he can discuss his future in just five weeks.

Naturally a right-back, Montoya has appeared in both full-back berths for Barcelona, but he remains behind Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Adriano.

He was part of the successful Spanish Under-21 side that won the European Championship and has the potential to become one of the game's leading right-backs.

His versatility makes him a useful squad man for the Catalans, but Montoya will presumably be intent on establishing himself as a starter over the next stage of his career.

If Barcelona cannot offer him that, it seems his future is away from the Nou Camp. He would augment the full-back reserves of most teams and certainly all three of the clubs linked with his signature by Corrigan.

For either Arsenal or Liverpool, the addition of Montoya on a free transfer would seem too good to be true. 

Both clubs have had problems in defence this season with several players forced to play out of position. 

Montoya would provide an instant remedy, adding genuine depth to both sides of the field as well as making an immediate case to start. Given his age and tutelage, he's only likely to improve, and once under contract, he will dramatically increase in value.

If no progress is made over the next five weeks, expect a rush of interest come January.