‘Aston Villa to steal in ahead of Arsenal for transfer target after major exit news’
Aston Villa could be moving into position to strike a blow against Arsenal in the transfer market in the wake of a major development at Villa Park.
Argentinian World Cup winner Emi Martinez was largely a bit part player during his time with the Gunners, although he did start in their 2020 FA Cup final win over Chelsea.
Even so, he was still allowed to leave that summer, when he completed a permanent move to Aston Villa in a £20million deal [Evening Standard].
Since completing his move from Arsenal to Villa Park, the goalkeeper has continued to go from strength to strength, but now appears set to leave the Villans.
Emiliano Martinez attracting Saudi Arabia transfer interest
During his time with Aston Villa, Martinez has firmly established as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, becoming a mainstay between the posts in the Midlands.
He has won a World Cup and two Copa Americas with Argentina in that period, as well as twice receiving the Yashin Trophy awarded to the top goalkeeper in the world.
This season though, Martinez has started to make more uncharacteristic and costly errors for Aston Villa, meaning he is no longer as reliable as he has been in the past.
It has now been reported by The Telegraph that the 32-year-old has emerged as a transfer target for clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer.
There is apparently also a belief among clubs in England and abroad that Aston Villa will sell players even if they qualify for the Champions League this season, and that Martinez is one they may be preparing to let go.
Should that be the case, then this update on their former goalkeeper could cause some new concern at Arsenal as they make their own plans for the squad to mount a renewed push for the Premier League title.
| Emi Martinez 2024/25 Premier League stats | Total (from SofaScore) |
| Appearances | 33 |
| Goals Conceded | 45 |
| Saves per Game | 2.6 |
| Goals Prevented | -1.43 |
| Errors Leading to Shot | 5 |
| Errors Leading to Goal | 1 |
Arsenal competition for transfer target set to increase
If Martinez is to leave Villa Park, then it is inevitable that Unai Emery‘s side will need a new first-choice goalkeeper.
That report notes that Aston Villa are among the clubs who are showing an interest in Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, and that could be a problem for the Gunners.
Arsenal themselves have been linked with a move for Garcia ahead of the summer window, and they are likely to need another shotstopper ahead of next season.
It is understood that Bournemouth loanee Neto will not remain with Mikel Arteta’s side once his temporary deal at the Emirates comes to an end in the summer.
That of course leaves the Gunners needing alternative cover and competition for David Raya, which could have come in the form of Garcia.
But if Aston Villa are to lose Martinez, that will give them a greater need to push to the sign the 23-year-old, and more resources with which to do so if they sell the Argentine for big money.
Should that happen, it will be harder for Arsenal to challenge to sign Garcia, especially if the Spaniard is tempted by the greater chance of first-team football he could enjoy with Martinez leaving Villa Park.
With that in mind, it is hard to imagine those at the Emirates Stadium are going to be all that pleased about this latest news around their former player, as a transfer for their former keeper could bite them a second time.