Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have reportedly formulated their transfer shortlist for Arsenal ahead of the summer.
It’s widely understood that Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the Gunners’ top striker targets, although Alexander Isak remains the dream acquisition.
Meanwhile, Arteta is a huge fan of Rodrygo, although Nico Williams is Arsenal’s priority winger candidate.
Arsenal also want to sign a defender and a back-up goalkeeper this summer, with Jorrel Hato and Joan Garcia the most heavily linked for these roles, respectively.
- READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer twist emerges as Sporting CP make fresh demand to sell him
Former Arsenal star Emi Martinez is set to leave Aston Villa
Emi Martinez left Arsenal for Aston Villa in 2020 after helping the Gunners win the FA Cup that year.
Since then, he’s played over 200 games for the West Midlanders, guiding Unai Emery’s side to Champions League qualification and the last eight of the prestigious competition.
However, the Argentine’s love affair with the Villans may be set to come to an end, with the shot-stopper appearing to wave goodbye to the Villa faithful on Friday night, after Emery’s team beat Tottenham 2-0.
According to TyC Sports, Villa are open to offers for Martinez, while the goalkeeper supposedly has proposals from three different sides on the table.
Two ‘top European clubs’ have approached the 32-year-old, as well as a club in the Saudi Pro-League.
Martinez’s preference is to remain in Europe and play in the Champions League again next season.
Aston Villa want Arsenal target Joan Garcia to replace Emi Martinez
The same publication reports that Villa have identified Garcia as a potential replacement for Martinez.
It’s well-documented that Garcia is Arsenal’s first-choice target to fulfil the role of David Raya’s deputy in Arteta’s squad.
However, with Villa now in the race to land the Spaniard, Arsenal may find it difficult to convince him to move to N5.
The Birmingham-based outfit can offer Garcia the number one shirt at Villa Park if Martinez leaves, while the Gunners are understood to view him as a back-up for Raya, with a view to succeeding the former Brentford man in the long-term.
Ultimately, if Garcia’s choice comes down to playing time, he’s likely to opt for a switch to Villa over Arsenal.
Thus, after riling up the Arsenal faithful with certain comments he’s made since leaving the Emirates, Martinez will continue to haunt the Gunners by derailing Arteta’s transfer plans.
Garcia has been described as ‘phenomenal’ and the Arsenal boss is a huge fan of the player, so missing out on him would certainly be a damaging blow.
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