Emiliano Martinez will return to Arsenal in the summer but recent comments suggest he might be on his way out and Arsenal’s scouting activities suggest the same.
The 26-year-old has impressed this season on loan at Reading but has been speaking about his need to play regularly at one club.
“I’ve been around a lot, but for me it’s now time to settle in one place,” he told Goal. “I’m at an age now where I have a newborn baby and me and my wife want to settle. I’m tired of going on loan.
“Obviously I love Arsenal. But it’s time for me to make it there or go somewhere else.”
Martinez added: “I promised my dad I was going to make it and I will make it.
“My dream is to play for Arsenal, I’ve always said that and I believe I have everything that a keeper needs to play for Arsenal.
“When I signed my last contract for six years it was because I believed I had everything to be No.1. Why would I sign for six years if I wasn’t going to have any games?
“If they don’t trust me, then I will have to move away and the Arsenal fans will understand. But I believe I should have the chance to show how good I am at Arsenal.
“I want to stay in England. My wife and my kid were born here and I want to stay at Arsenal – that’s the truth, so I hope they give me the chance.”
Many have taken these quotes to mean he will agitate for a move this summer and Arsenal have been linked with a number of keepers to replace Petr Cech, none of whom have been Martinez.
With Petr Cech announcing that he will retire at the end of the season and David Ospina looking like he will seal a permanent move to Napoli, many wondered if Emi Martinez’s time at the club had finally come. It seems not.
Now the same age as Bernd Leno but with only six Premier League appearances, Martinez was reportedly offered to Stade Rennais in part exchange for Ismaila Sarr in January. It was then reported that the French side had contacted Arsenal over his signing with a view to a January move.
It was also reported that Arsenal made an offer to Brazilian keeper, Brazao, but the 18-year-old, who currently plays for Cruzeiro’s B team, rejected the offer made to him by the club. He will instead play for Chievo Verona until the end of the season and then join Inter Milan in the summer.
Inter’s 18-year-old forward, Felice D’Amico, will then move to Chievo as their ‘reward’.
Full name Gabriel Nascimento Resende Brazão, I’m not going to lie and pretend I know anything about him other than this news means Martinez should probably start looking for a new club as Arsenal continue their hunt for a new keeper.