Aston Villa ready third bid for Arsenal goalkeeper Martinez

Arsenal expect Aston Villa to return with a third bid for £20m-rated goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, claims The Daily Mail.

Villa have already had a £10m rebuffed by the Gunners and recently lodged an improved £15m offer for the Argentina goalkeeper.

Martinez emerged as a fan favourite towards the end of last season after deputising superbly for the injured Bernd Leno.

The 28-year-old played a key role in their FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs but does not want to go back to being Leno's No.2 now the German is fit again.

Arsenal were mulling a new contract for Martinez but know his reputation is at an all-time high and cashing in now will help top up Mikel Arteta's transfer kitty.

With Villa desperately scrambling to sign a new goalkeeper before their season starts a week on Saturday, Dean Smith's side are expected to make another offer for Martinez even closer to his £20m valuation.

Villa broke their club transfer record to land Ollie Watkins from Brentford for an initial £28m and are still interested in signing Josh King from Bournemouth despite talk of a return to Manchester United.

Smith's side are also interested in United's No.2, Sergio Romero, who would be much cheaper than Martinez, but are as things stand still pursuing Martinez despite his escalating cost.

Martinez finished the 2019/20 campaign with the best save success rate in the Premier League (79.5%).