Arsenal look for keeper as Martinez ties up Villa move

ARSENAL goalkeeper Emi Martinez was this morning finalising a £20million move to Aston Villa after opting to leave in search of guaranteed first-team football.

Martinez shone during the end of last season after being forced to step up following a knee injury to Bernd Leno.

The Argentina international helped the Gunners win a record 14th FA Cup, but he is now leaving the club as he wants to play regularly.

Aston Villa were this morning finalising the terms of a deal with Arsenal that could eventually be worth £20m.

The 28-year-old has already agreed personal terms and his wage is expected to treble to around £60,000 a week.

Brighton are understood to have shown a strong interest in Martinez — and their offer could have eclipsed that of Villa — but the goalkeeper has chosen to move to the Midlands.

Martinez was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday and instead travelled to Villa’s training ground.

The goalkeeper was impressed by the club’s pitch to sign him and he has been given assurances about becoming the team’s No1.

Martinez had been reluctant to leave Arsenal after spending 10 years there, but has decided he needs to be playing regularly at this stage in his career.

Arsenal are now looking to buy a new goalkeeper and are tracking Dijon’s Runar Alex Runarsson, with the 25-yearold Iceland international available for around £1.5m.

The Gunners are also keen on Brentford’s David Raya, but the Championship club have told them the 24-year-old Spaniard is not for sale.