Barcelona Transfers: Latest on Martin Montoya's Future, Martin Odegaard Chase

Martin Montoya's agent remains determined to push his client through the exit door at the Camp Nou. This is despite Barcelona demanding a hefty fee for the young defender.

Speaking of young stars, Barca are the latest to show definite interest in Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian teen prodigy is attracting suitors from every corner of Europe's footballing elite.

Now, Norwegian publication VG Sporten (h/t Inside Spanish Football writer Tom Conn) has added Barca's name to the list of illustrious interested parties: "Following his arrival to the Catalan capital on Friday morning, Odegaard is expected to be given the grand tour of the facilities and take in the sites of the city before being invited as a guest to Barcelona’s final match of 2014 against Cordoba and wrapping up his tour."

The list of teams anxious to agree a deal with Odegaard also includes Premier League side Arsenal. In fact, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was recently credited with gaining the edge in the race, per Telegraph writer Matt Law.

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Wenger is no stranger to poaching young players from Barca's clutches. He did it with Cesc Fabregas, Fran Merida and, most recently, promising young full-back Hector Bellerin.

In this case, Wenger is battling the Catalan club for a potential young star both are keen to acquire. It only makes sense that Arsenal and Barcelona find themselves near the front of the queue for Odegaard.

After all, both clubs usually favour diminutive but technically gifted and forward-thinking midfield schemers. Odegaard is exactly that.

Some, including Mike Cardillo of The Big Lead, have compared Odegaard favourably to a current Barca icon:

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Theoretically he’s been able to watch Messi—and Messi highlights on YouTube—his entire soccer life. Watching the Norwegian’s style, it’s hard not to think of Messi. Of course, turning that style from a YouTube highlight clip when you’re a teenager to winning the Ballon d’Or as an adult is another matter entirely.

"

Messi's presence could well sway Odegaard Barca's way, something suggested by Conn. The four-time European Cup winners are far from short of attacking talent. But Odegaard's possible arrival could herald a refresh created by some clever future planning.

Messi is now established as arguably the world's best player. Only Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo can credibly rival him for that title.

The club also signed Luis Suarez from Liverpool this summer to combine with Messi and Neymar Jr. Manager Luis Enrique can also still call on 27-year-old Pedro for pace and goals.

But Barca also has dynamic youngster Munir El Haddadi. Adding Odegaard alongside him would ensure Barca owning two of the brightest young attackers in Europe, talents who can form the foundation of the club's next great era.

But while Barca are already taking steps to welcome their next young star, the club could be about to lose one. La Masia academy product Martin Montoya will soon be on his way out if his agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco, gets his way.

He's pushing for Montoya, who remains merely a fringe player at the Camp Nou, to leave in the January transfer window. Carrasco recently made his intention clear during a meeting with the Barcelona brass, per Italian publication Calcio Mercato (h/t Inside Futbol): "I think there may be some news from next week.

"One thing is clear: the game against Huesca and eventually playing in the match against Cordoba change nothing. Our decision remains the same."

Montoya did indeed get the start in Barca's comprehensive 5-0 mauling of Cordoba. But it was only his second league start of the season and fourth overall in all competitions, per ESPN FC.

As a player able to operate at both right-back and in central defence, Montoya is reportedly drawing plenty of interest from outside Barcelona. One suitor is Premier League team Liverpool. But the Reds will have to pay as much as €20 million for the 23-year-old, per Mirror reporter Ben Burrows.

It's strange Montoya doesn't get more playing time. He seems like the natural successor to 31-year-old veteran Dani Alves. Montoya's technical acumen and versatility are also invaluable traits for any squad.

That perhaps explains why Barca have set such a steep price for Montoya's services.

Of course, any transfer deals to and from Barcelona will hinge on the CAS ruling over the club's appeal against its current transfer ban. One thing remains certain though: The Catalan club remains committed to recruiting top young talent and creating a platform for success with one eye on the future.