After surviving by the finest of margins last season, Aston Villa are looking to strengthen their defence ahead of the new season with the arrival of Arsenal’s Emiliano Martínez.
According to Gregg Evans of The Athletic, they have launched a second bid for the Argentine goalkeeper. The bid is reportedly closer to Arsenal’s £20 million valuation of Martínez, giving the deal plenty of chance to be eventually agreed.
Aston Villa Make Second Bid for Emiliano Martínez
Brutal Decision by Arsenal?
Despite becoming a brief Arsenal hero in the FA Cup, helping to beat Manchester City before defeating Chelsea at Wembley to secure the trophy, Martínez is looking increasingly closer to the exit door.
At the back end of last season, it seemed as though he was destined to compete with Bernd Leno all the way. Just months later, however, and the heroics have been forgotten, and he has become nothing more than a chess piece in Arteta’s game to improve Arsenal.
By selling the Argentine goalkeeper for the reported £20 million, Arsenal could fund deals for the likes of Thomas Partey alongside other improved arrivals. The decision to sell Martínez may look brutal now, but it could turn out to be a stroke of genius should the Gunners spend the money wisely.
Chance to Become a Hero Elsewhere
As for Martínez, a potential move to Villa offers him the chance to become a hero once more. His heroics led Arsenal to a 14th FA Cup, but, for Villa, they could lead to a third season back in the top flight.
At times last season, Villa were forced to rely upon an ageing Pep Reina to pull the defence through; it simply wasn’t a feasible long term plan. By targeting Martínez, and potentially completing a deal, they should put an end to any goalkeeping worries in the process.
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