Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has pushed his directors to raid local rivals Espanyol.

Valverde wants to bring Espanyol fullback Aaron Martin to the Nou Camp this summer, after writing off Lucas Digne as a long-term proposition.

Don Balon says Aaron rejected an approach from Manchester City last month, having been concerned over the prospects of regular first team football at the Carabao Cup winners.

Barca chiefs have scouting reports on Aaron since he was 14 years of age, but he would regularly resist their enquiries as he came through academy football.

Valverde hopes to convince Aaron by assuring him that he'd be clear to compete on an equal footing with Jordi Alba to be Barca's first-choice left-back from next season.