Aston Villa have submitted a second bid closer to Arsenal’s £20million valuation of Emiliano Martinez, reports claim.
The Gunners goalkeeper impressed in the club’s final 11 matches of the 2019/20 season after Bernd Leno suffered a knee injury.
Martinez helped Arsenal win a 14th FA Cup and started in goal in their Community Shield win over Liverpool.
However, with Leno fully fit again, Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make over who plays against Fulham in their Premier League opening day clash on Saturday.
The Athletic say Aston Villa have lodged a bid close to £20million for Martinez, who wants to play regular football in the upcoming season.
That is something Villa can offer with Tom Heaton still sidelined with a knee injury.
The report adds Arsenal will only let Martinez leave if a replacement is brought in with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya a target.
Last month, Martinez claimed 10 European clubs were interested in signing him.
He said: “I want to stay at Arsenal, but if I play more minutes.
“Because on a personal level, I have an age, I am in a game with confidence that I need to add as many minutes as possible.
“I am in the sights of 10 teams in Europe. But I can’t say who those clubs are, because it’s nothing concrete.
“I still do not have the clear situation with Arsenal, when I have it when I return I will make the best decision for my career.”
Robbie Lyle, the founder of AFTV, a popular Arsenal fan YouTube channel, recently told talkSPORT Martinez is currently one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers.
He said: “When he came in he said a lot of things, Mikel Arteta. A lot of managers come in and say bold things.
“He said them and at the moment he’s backing up everything he said. He said, ‘anybody who doesn’t want to play for this badge won’t play’. And he’s done that.
“Emi Martinez in goal, for me, he’s one of the best goalkeepers right now in the Premier League.”
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By: Jake
Title: Aston Villa lodge second bid near £20m for Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez dubbed ‘one of the best in Premier League’
Sourced From: talksport.com/football/756114/aston-villa-arsenal-emiliano-martinez/
Published Date: Mon, 07 Sep 2020 21:23:35 +0000
