Arsenal accept £20m offer as unsettled star heads for medical

Arsenal have accepted a bid from Aston Villa for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to reports.

Martinez is now believed to be undergoing a medical with Villa after missing Arsenal’s opening game of the season.

According to the BBC, Martinez will complete his move to Villa Park for a fee of £20m.

The goalkeeper stepped up towards the end of last season after Bernd Leno’s injury. Martinez started in the FA Cup final and Community Shield, both of which the Gunners won.

However, in between that time, he admitted that he would not stay at the club if they did not keep him as number one after Leno’s return.

Martinez, 28, wants to earn a call-up to the Argentine national team. To do so, he needs to be playing regularly.

Leno returned for Arsenal’s opening day win over Fulham, with Martinez not in the squad. The reason has now become clear – he is ready to join Villa.

As many as 10 clubs were interested in Martinez, including Leeds United. But it is Villa who have won the race, after their third bid for the player was successful.

Arsenal to replace Martinez with Raya

David Raya TEAMtalk

Martinez’s imminent departure will give Arsenal the green light to pursue a replacement. Their preferred candidate is Brentford’s David Raya.

In fact, we exclusively revealed that the Gunners have made a bid for the Spanish keeper.

Former Brentford goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, now at Arsenal, has recommended the player to the Premier League club.

And now they are stepping up their efforts to sign him.

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