Arsenal and Aston Villa are reportedly set to battle Chelsea in pursuit of 29-year-old English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who is a free agent.
According to a report by Daily Mail, the list of suitors for Marcus Bettinelli in the summer transfer window continues to beef up. Arsenal and Aston Villa are the latest Premier League clubs to show an interest in the 29-year-old free agent, who is also a target for Chelsea.
Marcus Bettinelli is coming off a roller-coaster off a spell with Fulham, with whom he has spent his entire senior footballing career, with the exception of the years he was out on loan. Over the course of his stint with the Cottagers, the Englishman made 120 appearances, keeping 31 clean sheets in the process.
The 29-year-old, though, is now a free agent and set to join a club other than Fulham permanently for the first time in his career. However, despite being released by the South Londoners, there is no shortage of interest in Bettinelli, who is being courted by Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Chelsea’s interest in the English goalkeeper comes following the departure of Willy Caballero, which has forced them to scour the market for a new third-choice goalkeeper. To that end, the Blues have been linked with a number of options, with Bettinelli being their latest target.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are in search of a new backup for Bernd Leno after failing to sign Mat Ryan permanently. To that end, the Gunners have identified various potential options to bolster their goalkeeping department, with Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone among those on their radar.
As for Aston Villa, with Tom Heaton joining Manchester United, there is no viable backup for ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. To that end, Bettinelli is a viable target for the Villans, who are battling Chelsea and Arsenal for the 29-year-old’s signature this summer.
For now, what appears to be certain is that Bettinelli could be set for a return to the Premier League amid interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa. It now remains to be seen as to which of the three suitors end up securing his services this summer.
