Noel Whelan has claimed goalkeeper Yassine Bounou would be second-choice behind Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa if he were to complete a “strange” move in the coming transfer windows.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed centre-back should be the priority for new boss Unai Emery ahead of the winter window in January.
Aston Villa sources told this site on Thursday (24 November) that the Midlands giants are keeping close tabs on Sevilla star Bounou, 31, ahead of a possible “surprise” move.
Unai Emery is understood to be a huge admirer of the Morocco international – who is the first-choice option for club and country.
Martinez, 30, has impressed since his move from Arsenal in 2020 and has become number one for Argentina – playing a major part in their Copa America triumph last summer (2021).
The shot-stopper has kept four clean sheets in 15 top-flight games this term as Aston Villa sit 15th in the Premier League.
Whelan insisted Bounou could be brought in to keep Martinez “on his toes” as the Midlands giants aim for an improvement on last season’s 14th-place finish.
He told Football Insiderās Ewan Kingsbury: āItās a bit of a strange move.
āYou look at other areas at Aston Villa ā centre-half is probably the biggest issue for them.
āThatās something they need to address, even with that improvement since Emery has come in.
āI canāt see anyone squeezing Martinez out. Heās Argentinaās number one, and heās done fantastically well since his move from Arsenal.
āI think this would only be as a backup, a precaution. Maybe Emery feels Bounou is someone who can help push Martinez and keep him on his toes.”
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By: Noel Whelan
Title: Whelan emphatic on Aston Villa axing Martinez after ‘surprise’ transfer reveal
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-shares-emphatic-verdict-on-aston-villa-axing-emiliano-martinez-after-surprise-transfer-reveal/
Published Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2022 12:36:01 +0000
