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Arsenal agreed to sell number two goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to Aston Villa in an impressive £ 20 million deal, and the Argentine completed his medical examination at Villa Park on Saturday.
talkSPORT understands that Martinez underwent his medical exam after being left out of the team of the day in the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Fulham.
AFP or licensees
Martinez helped Arsenal win a record 14 FA Cup last season
The 28-year-old impressed by replacing the injured Bernd Leno last season, keeping nine clean sheets in 23 games.
He ended the 2019/20 season by helping Arsenal lift the FA Cup and began the new campaign by holding his place for the Community Shield victory against Liverpool.
But he was replaced by the fit Leno for the Gunners’ first game of the 2020/21 Premier League, with the club’s number one reclaiming his jersey for the 3-0 demolition of Fulham.
It was a clear indication of Arsenal’s decision on their goalkeeping dilemma, after Martinez openly admitted that he would seek a move away from Emirates this summer after ten years at the club if he is not given a fair chance in regular football.
That was a promise the Gunners couldn’t keep and according to talkSPORT transfer guru Alex Crook, they agreed to sell it to Aston Villa for a free price that could amount to £ 20 million.
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Emiliano Martínez was excited after helping Arsenal win the FA Cup, having spent ten years at the club with few opportunities for the first team.
Martinez will be Villa’s third new signing of the summer, following the club-record arrival of Brentford forward Ollie Watkins and the signing of Nottingham Forest right-back Matty Cash.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will replace the Argentine with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya with a £ 10 million offer prepared for the 24-year-old Spaniard.
During Sunday’s weekend sports breakfast, Crook said, “Martinez is very close to moving to Aston Villa.
“I understand you had your medical exam yesterday [Saturday] after being left out of the Arsenal squad for their opener against Fulham.
“It is a package worth £ 20 million. Brighton was also linked, although they told me they never made a formal offer.
Ray Parlor believes it will be difficult for Arsenal to finish in the top four
“Arsenal are already planning a replacement for Martinez, in the form of David Raya from Brentford, and are planning to spend £ 10 million of the £ 20 million for Martinez to make Raya their new number two.
“Martínez has been at Arsenal for ten years and I was lucky enough to interview him on Zoom several times during the running of the bulls. He was so happy, so excited that he was finally going to be Arsenal’s number one, and it was apparently taken from him.
“He was so desperate and determined to make his mark at Arsenal and keep that number one jersey and he hasn’t had a chance to do so, so I feel a little sorry for him.
“But he has won a couple of trophies with the Gunners and Aston Villa is a great club and this is a great move that he will play in regularly.”
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