Montoya hints at summer departure

Barcelona starlet Martin Montoya could be leaving the club next summer, according to the player’s official representative.

With the player’s contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign, a number of high-profile clubs have been casting admiring glances his way.

Inter Milan, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool are all believed to be keen, but it is becoming clear the defender won’t be moving clubs in January.

Nevertheless, Montoya’s representative admits that a summer exit is a realistic possibility even if they are currently negotiating a new deal with Barcelona.

“Montoya’s contract is due to expire in 2014, we are talking with Barcelona, the renewal could happen, but as I said, he could also take another path,” agent Jose Maria Orobitg confessed to Italian magazine Panorama.

“For next season nothing is granted and Martin could leave on a free transfer if he finds little space. But he will definitely stay at Barcelona until the end of the season.”

Martin Montoya is held in high regard at Camp Nou and he is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Daniel Alves.

The 22-year-old has seriously improved his status at the club over the last few years, and after starting 11 La Liga fixtures last term, he was finally handed his first start this season in a 4-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.