Leeds United reportedly wanted Emiliano Martinez, but the goalkeeper is set to stay at Arsenal this summer.
It was reported by The Sun on Sunday (29/7; page 63) at the weekend that Leeds were one of the Championship sides interested in Emiliano Martinez this summer before Arsenal decided to keep the goalkeeper at the Emirates for the coming season.
United went into the summer looking set to consider their goalkeeper options. Kiko Casilla’s season ended in disappointing fashion, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell had come in for criticism during his own spell as number one earlier in the campaign.
Had interest in Martinez come to light in the early stages of the window, it seems entirely possible that a large section of the Elland Road faithful would have backed a move for the 26-year-old, who has now been on loan with four different Championship sides.
However, with the opening day of the new season just around the corner, it appears fair to say that Leeds reportedly missing out on Martinez is nowhere near as big a blow as some may have expected – and that is thanks to Casilla’s form in pre-season.
The Spaniard has not needed to be at his best during the summer. But he appears to have shown a lot more discipline in his decision-making and looks determined to prove his doubters wrong after such an erratic end to last season.
His shot-stopping and distribution have always been impressive, and they have largely continued to be during the summer. But he is not making so many rash decisions, particularly when it comes to choosing when to come off his line.
The challenge facing Casilla is to maintain those levels once he has enjoyed a strong run of form and the fans start to believe that his moments of madness are behind him. But he absolutely has the quality to win all of the supporters round.
And if he does during the opening weeks of the season, then missing out on Martinez is not going to feel like any sort of a setback for Bielsa’s men.
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