Well, Emiliano Martinez looks like he’s on borrowed time as an Arsenal player.
The Gunners’ FA Cup-winning hero has been heavily linked with a move away from North London in recent weeks, despite his form toward the end of last season.
Martinez proved himself a quite brilliant deputy in the absence of Bernd Leno, and produced a number of heroic performances en route to Arsenal winning a trophy in Mikel Arteta’s first season.
Some fans of the Emirates Stadium side won’t be one bit happy about losing the Argentine, but they can console themselves with the idea that it’s brilliant business – if the reported figures are accurate.
According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal could pick up £20 million from Aston Villa for the South American.
To put that into context, the 28-year-old has started only 13 Premier League games in 10 years of being on the Gunners’ books.
Even more context, Arsene Wenger only paid a total of around £1.6 million, spread across five different payments [ESPN], to bring him in from Independiente back in 2020.
So to be making an £18 million profit on somebody who some Arsenal fans might not have even recognised before June has to be considered a big, big bargain.
He’s a fine goalkeeper if the last three months are anything to go by, but that’s precisely why £20 million was too good to refuse, because he is unproven over the course of a full season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
