LEEDS are planning a shock move for Arsenal’s £20million goalkeeper Emi Martinez, according to reports.
The Argentine has impressed as the Gunners’ No1 since Bernd Leno’s knee injury last season.
And recently he has been putting pressure on Mikel Arteta to make him No1 next season.
The 27-year-old has made it clear he will ask for a move away from the Emirates if Arteta cannot make him those assurances.
And Premier League new boys Leeds are monitoring the situation ahead of a potential move, according to the Mail.
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Marcelo Bielsa is reportedly willing to sell current stopper Kiko Casilla.
Despite having already signed Illan Meslier on a permanent basis, if they can offload Casilla the Whites would be keen on Martinez.
Casilla was banned for eight games last season after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Jonathan Leko.
And his sometimes shaky form means the Yorkshire side are looking for someone more stable as they battle to stay in the Premier League.
Leno has recovered from the knee injury he picked up away at Brighton in June but Martinez was picked ahead of him for the Gunners’ Charity Shield victory over Liverpool on Saturday.
He also starred in the North Londoners’ FA Cup triumph earlier this month.
According to The Athletic, the departed Raul Sanllehi had wanted £20m for Arteta’s No2 goalkeeper.
But Martinez, 27, is hoping that his decade of hard work with the Gunners will be respected – and that he will be let go for under £10m if needs be.
His intention to become Argentina’s No1 has been made clear, and he feels that he has to be playing regular first-team football in order to do so.
He told Argentine radio station Continental last month: “I have shown the club that I can play for them and when I return next season, I need to have more games. That is the only way I will stay at Arsenal.”
“My target is to consolidate my place with Arsenal and to become the Argentina No1.
“I won’t stop until I get that and if I don’t play for Arsenal, then clearly, I would move on.”
Valencia and Real Betis are believed to be interested in the 6ft 5in ace, who is so far uncapped for his country.
And Aston Villa are also said to be lining up a £10m bid.
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The Gunners had been intending on handing Martinez a new contract, with just two years left to run on his current £20,000-a-week deal.
But the coronavirus pandemic put negotiations on hold.
Should Arsenal cash in on Martinez, they will look to sign a new No2 this summer, with Brentford’s David Raya on their radar.
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