Leeds United are reportedly monitoring the situation of Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with a potential summer move in the works.
According to the Daily Mail, newly-promoted Premier League outfit Leeds United are considering making a swoop for Arsenal’s backup goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the current transfer window.
The 27-year-old has been with Arsenal for ten years now, having signed from Argentine club Independiente back in 2010. While he made his first-team debut for the Gunners way back in 2012, he has hardly been a regular with the North Londoners.
Martinez has had a series of loan spells away at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolves, Getafe and most recently Reading. However, the Argentine got a regular run in the first-team towards the end of the 2019/20 campaign, after No.1 Bernd Leno picked up a serious injury.
Martinez made the most of his chances, helping Arsenal to the FA Cup triumph, while he was impressive in their FA Community Shield victory against Liverpool this past weekend. In spite of his exploits, the 27-year-old is likely to remain as backup for Leno and Leeds United are hoping to capitalise on his situation.
The Whites are back in the Premier League after sixteen years and have already made quite the splash in the transfer market, having signed Rodrigo Moreno from Valencia. As per the report, manager Marcelo Bielsa remains keen on bolstering his goalkeeping department, despite having a number of options at his disposal.
Indeed, Leeds have former Real Madrid star Kiko Casilla as their first-choice custodian, while Illan Meslier was signed on a permanent transfer after he impressed on loan during the last season. However, Bielsa is looking for an upgrade on Casilla, who has looked shaky at times and is prepared to offload the Spaniard in order to make room for Martinez.
Leeds United are not the only club looking at the Argentine though, with La Liga outfits Valencia and Real Betis also interested. Any deal though, would hinge on the transfer fee demands made by Arsenal. The Gunners had previously wanted £20 million for the shot-stopper, but could be forced to lower their demands.
It remains to be seen if Leeds, who recently signed youngster Sam Greenwood from Arsenal, are able to complete the transfer of Martinez as well. Apart from the Argentine, the Whites are also looking at Manchester United custodian Sergio Romero.
