Report: Aston Villa reluctant to pay £20m for Emiliano Martinez, Leeds stance explained

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According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are reluctant to pay Arsenal’s £20million asking price for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

It’s also stated that Leeds United want Martinez, but would need ‘other deals to fall into place’ before they can make a move.

That may well be that Leeds need to offload a senior goalkeeper. They have signed up Illan Meslier permanently, but Kiko Casilla’s role at the club now looks a little questionable.

The Spaniard didn’t exactly impress last season, and Meslier stepped in admirably when Casilla picked up an eight-match suspension.

If Leeds can offload Casilla, it would be no surprise to see them firm up their interest in Martinez, who has impressed in 2020.

The Argentinian stepped in for Arsenal when Bernd Leno went down with an injury in June, and has shown that he is ready for a Premier League starting role.

Villa admire Martinez, but are reluctant to pay the £20million asking price that Arsenal have slapped on the 27-year-old’s head.

Villa may need to move quickly for Martinez with Leeds lurking, and there may yet still be the prospect of Martinez becoming Arsenal’s first-choice stopper in the Premier League.