Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez offered dream move to Valencia… but it’s a nightmare for Arsene Wenger
French boss may be forced to delve into the transfer market to land a new shot stopper
ARSENAL keeper Emi Martinez is being offered a dream move to Valencia — but it is a nightmare for Arsene Wenger.
The big Argentinian is wanted by the La Liga men who have sold their two shot-stoppers and see him as their next No 1.
It would be the major breakthrough the South American has wanted since joining the Gunners and being left in the shadows or loaned out.
Valencia want to buy Martinez, 24, for around £5million, but that would leave Wenger with a keeper crisis he had not planned.
Number two David Ospina is already a target for wealthy Turkish side Fenerbahce — as we first revealed — and has waited patiently for the nod to be sold.
And with Wojciech Szczesny also on the shopping list of several Serie A sides, Wenger could face losing THREE top keepers in this tricky window.
Emiliano Martinez factfile
- Born in Mar Del Plata, Argentina in 1992
- Joined the Gunners from Independiente in 2010 as a youth player
- Has made six first-team appearances for Arsenal
- Spent time on-loan at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham and Wolves
- Was named in Uefa Team of the Week after his cleansheet against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League
- Has represented his country at Under-17 and Under-20 level
Martinez hopes for the nod to go after seasons out of the limelight but now Wenger is likely to need to buy at least one reserve for Petr Cech in the coming weeks.
Arsenal are big fans of Stoke’s Jack Butland but it would take a big fee to get him.
And the England hopeful might not want to be a Gunners reserve in a World Cup year.