Arsenal identify Martinez replacement

 

Arsenal have earmarked Iceland international Runar Alex Runarsson as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, claims The Daily Mail.

 

Martinez is on the verge of joining Aston Villa in a deal worth around £20m and Mikel Arteta wants to sign a new No.2 for Bernd Leno immediately.

 

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya Martin has already been linked with Arsenal but now Runarsson, of Ligue 1 side Dijon, has emerged as the favourite.

 

The 25-year-old was an unused substitute in Iceland's 1-0 defeat to England during their UEFA Nations League encounter earlier this month and is Dijon's back-up to Alfred Gomis.

 

Runarsson, who joined Dijon in 2018, made 11 league appearances for the French outfit last season and is valued in the region of just £1.5m.

 

The Icelandic shot-stopper represents a significantly cheaper option than Martin, who Brentford have valued at closer to £10m.

 

With Arteta desperate to sign at least one new central midfielder before the window closes, it's likely the Gunners will pursue the cheaper option to replace Martinez.

 

Arsenal identify Martinez replacement

 

 

Arsenal are keen on Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey and Lyon starlet Hosseum Aouar but it will require a significant bid to land one.

 

Runarsson averaged 3.1 saves per 90 in Ligue 1 last season, ranking eighth in the division of goalkeepers with at least 10 appearances, but he failed to keep one clean sheet.