Mail Online claims that Brighton is making a late effort to hijack Aston Villa’s move for Arsenal goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentinean keeper has been Arsenal’s stand-in number one before the return of Bernd Leno from injury.
He expected to remain the club’s first choice, but the report claims that Mikel Arteta has decided that Leno will return as the club’s number one despite starting Martinez in the Community Shield game against Liverpool.
The 28-year-old goalie has now asked to leave and Arsenal is prepared to sell him to Aston Villa.
The Villans have made an offer of around £15m plus £4.5m in add ons according to the report, but Brighton is also looking to sign him and they have made a late bid to hijack the transfer.
With Tom Heaton still out injured, Martinez will likely be Aston Villa’s first choice and he has been guaranteed minutes at Villa Park.
However, Brighton hasn’t guaranteed him that and it might see them miss out on signing him to Villa.
Arsenal will now have to look for a new goalkeeper to serve as second choice behind Leno, Brentford’s David Raya has reportedly been targeted.
I hope Raya is considered homegrown. Doesnt make sense to waste a spot on your backup GK. Would also rather find somebody cheaper. 10mill of that money going for a 2nd keeper when we need to save everything to get our midfield targets doesn’t sound like the best move. Emi move seems like a sure thing compared to Guendouzi sale.
1 yr back nobody on earth would have thought no club will spend 20mil on Guendouzi n there will b competition for buying Martinez for 20mil. It seems Martinez was given community shield run to find out suitors. If it’s true it may be club strategy to give time to Elneny n AMN to increase their value and find suitors. It won’t be surprise even if Holding is sold if right price comes. It seems mind games is going on at Arsenal at present.
@VZ I do not think that it is a club strategy to play players to find suitors. Arteta seem to be very competitive and will play players he thinks will win the match. He does not play players to be nice. If this was true you would have expected to see Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira and Sokratis to play.
Martinez had been fantastic and played in the community shield due to form and performance. Elneny did really well in the community shield and deserved to start against Fulham.
He played because arteta said that he was in goal for the FA cup and if they didn’t win that then they wouldn’t be playing in the community shield.
Personally I don’t even think we’ll replace him. Matt macey will be our backup keeper and all the funds from sales will go towards the midfield
👍 You’re right TDO, why would Arteta, or any sane manager risk dropping points at the start of a new season to showcase players?
No chance, Villa it is.
Brentford insist Raya isn’t for sale. One of the ITKs mentioned about there being plenty of free agents out there…
So who knows who we’ll end up with..
It won’t be Joe Hart lol
🤣👍
I can’t understand if transfer funds are scarce, with all the goal keepers at the Club, Arsenal doesn’t make Matt Macey the back up goal keeper. He is decent and there are young up and coming prospects as well.
OT.. MOTD on a Sunday morning – spot on 👌
Only time will tell if Arsenal will reject any substantial offer for any players who are not guaranteed starters. Let’s see how the market fares out. Let’s just hope if any players are sold Arsenal can immediately reinvest it for significant improvement.
It’s good to have the prem and MOTD back Sue
It sure is, NMC 🙂
If we get raya, we will be getting a better younger and more experienced keeper and make a few quid in the process. Good business.