Emiliano Martinez ‘outstanding’ for Arsenal claims pundit
Arsenal have received a boost in their bid to sign David Raya as a replacement for Emiliano Martinez after agreeing a deal to sell the goalkeeper to Aston Villa. The Sun reports Brentford are looking at Charlton goalkeeper Dillon Phillips as a replacement for Raya if he is sold.
Arsenal transfer news: Gunners receive boost over Emiliano Martinez replacement (Image: GETTY)
Villa are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Pepe Reina returned to Milan and was sold to Lazio, and Dean Smith has marked Martinez as his top target.
Arsenal are keen to get a replacement sorted as soon as possible after reluctantly letting the 27-year-old go, and are ready to spend £10m for Raya.
Brentford are adamant that they won’t be selling the 24-year-old, who only joined from Blackburn last summer.
However, the goalkeeper is ready to hand in a transfer request if the Bees don’t accept a bid from Arsenal, so it seems inevitable he’ll be on his way out of the club.
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The Sun claims Brentford have found their replacement, an indication that they are ready to concede defeat in the battle to keep him.
Charlton goalkeeper Phillips is apparently being eyed if Raya is sold.
Raya wasn’t included as Brentford opened their Championship campaign with a poor 1-0 defeat away at Birmingham, but head coach Thomas Frank reiterated after the game that Raya is carrying an injury.
He said: The latest is that David has had an ongoing issue with the ligament on his knee for about three months.
“We finally decided to give him an injection last Monday.
“He’ll be ready to train this Monday, and if things gowellhe’ll be available for selection against Huddersfield.”
If he signs, Raya will be Leno’s backup this season, and will work with former Brentford goalkeeper coachInaki Cana Pavon.
The coach was a key part of Brentford’s decision to sign Raya last summer, and is believed to have urged Gunners chiefs to sign him.
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