Aston Villa weighing up Emiliano Martinez move

The Argentine has emerged as a shock target for Dean Smith, who is looking to bring in another keeper to provide cover and competition for Tom Heaton.

Martinez featured for the Gunners in Saturday’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool but faces an uncertain future at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta thought to still consider Bernd Leno his first-choice.

That has alerted a number of clubs, including Villa, who will be without Heaton for at least the first month of the season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Arsenal have placed a price tag of £20million on Martinez, who earned rave reviews after replacing the injured Leno for the final weeks of last season.

Villa’s budget for a new keeper is only half that amount and they hope Martinez’s willingness to move on in the search for first-team football will force the Gunners to lower their demands.

It is the 27-year-old’s wages which could prove the biggest stumbling block. Martinez is thought to earn around £20,000-a-week, but may request several times more than that in order to agree a move.

Villa hope to complete their first signing of the transfer window this week and remain in talks with Nottingham Forest over full-back Matty Cash.

An initial £10m bid was rejected by the Championship club, but Villa are expected to return with an improved offer.

Smith also hopes to make progress this week in his efforts to sign Brentford striker Ollie Watkins. The Villa boss would also like to add another attacker, preferably a centre-forward, along with a midfielder before the window closes in October.