Arsenal and Aston Villa are set to do battle in the transfer market once again this summer – this time for the signing of free agent goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who report that Bettinelli finds himself in demand after his Fulham contract came to an end.
Villa allegedly want to find another goalkeeper to compete with Emiliano Martinez this coming season, and Bettinelli is a cheap option on a free transfer.
The report adds that Arsenal and Chelsea are keen too, with both clubs seeing him as cheap homegrown cover.
Runar Runarsson isn’t good enough for Arsenal and Mat Ryan has moved on, so adding Bettinelli as a bargain addition behind Bernd Leno could make sense for the Gunners.
Bettinelli, 29, was called up by England in 2018 but he hasn’t managed to kick on since then, and spent last season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.
Gareth Southgate is a huge fan of Bettinelli, suggesting that he is ‘very comfortable’ playing out from the back, and that’s why he played under Southgate for England’s Under-21’s and then earned the senior call-up.
Bettinelli is far from a big name, but his free agent status means he’s a wanted man – and after Arsenal missed out to Aston Villa over Emiliano Buendia, they may hope to get some revenge with a deal for Bettinelli.
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