The latest Aston Villa transfer news and rumour from B6:
Emi Martinez
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Pepe Reina not returning to Villa Park after his positive loan spell (the Spaniard has joined Lazio from AC Milan in a permanent deal) Smith finds himself in the market for a ‘keeper.
With England international Tom Heaton still recuperating from a season ending ACL injury sustained on New Years Day, Villa urgently need to add competent cover between the sticks.
The fact is that Orjan Nyland has proven himself to be unreliable and Jed Steer is arguably best viewed as a reasonable squad back-up. The Premier League requires Villa to have a composed but consistent goalkeeper of a standard no less than that of the sidelined Heaton.
The latest reports indicate that Smith is testing Arsenal’s resolve for Emi Martinez. The 27 year old is available for transfer, but a valation of £10 million is understood to be wide of the mark, with the London based side expecting a fee in the region of £20 million for the FA Cup winner’s services.
Martinez impressed for the Gunners last term, deputising for Bernd Leno and will be known to many for an emotional post-match interview at Wembley. The victory over Manchester City marked the end of a ten year journey to the first team, having arrived in England aged just 16 from Independiente for £1.1m
MATTY CASH
Embed from Getty ImagesFurther to recent stories linking Villa with Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash, the latest update is that the club have submitted an improved offer of £12 million.
Forest have been consistent in their valuation for Cash (£15m) and will likely leverage Villa’s bid against the fact that a host of club’s are interested in his signature.
The 23 year old right-back had also been subject to intense speculation during the January 2020 transfer window, with Southampton, Sheffield United and Fulham still monitoring negotiations.
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Its a pity we cannot use Henri Lansbury to make up the £3m shortfall. When we signed him from Forest there were a lot of their fans who wanted him to stay.
Get a fee back and a player off the wage bill. Same with Scott Hogan with the two players Smith wants from Brentford. Hogan came to us for a hefty fee and he was scoring for fun at Brentford. Surely if they want to replace Watkins taking him back for the £5m or so shortfall would make sense for both clubs.