As far as Premier League goalkeepers go, Emi Martinez may be the complete package.
Blessed with feline-like reflexes, inch-perfect distribution and the ability to command his penalty area with power and presence, Aston Villa’s Argentina international has certainly made Arsenal look a little silly since moving to the Midlands in a £20 million deal 13 months ago.
In fact, he has been so impressive that, according to The Independent, a return to North London may be on the cards.
Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to have identified Martinez as an ideal successor for their soon-to-be-35-year-old veteran Hugo Lloris.
The report does add that Spurs are also looking into a couple of potential back-up options too, including Napoli’s Alex Meret and the rising star of Real Sociedad, Alex Remiro.
And that seems rather sensible, given that luring Martinez away from Villa Park feels like something of an impossibility, especially with a further three years remaining on his claret-and-blue contract.
After all, this is not an Aston Villa side who need the money.
Would Emi Martinez leave Aston Villa for Spurs?
Bankrolled by billionaire owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, the Midland giants certainly won’t be forced into selling one of their prized assets, especially to a direct Premier League rival.
Thereis an argument to be made that, if Jack Grealish didn’t have a release clause in his contract, Manchester City’s record signing would still be strutting his stuff in front of the Holte End, week in, week out.
Would Spurs – and their famously scrupulous chairman Daniel Levy – be willing to stump up the sort of cash required to twist Villa’s arm?
The belief, in the boroughs of Birmingham, is that the answer to this particular question is a resounding ‘no’.
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