Phil Hay: Leeds could have interest in signing Arsenal ace to replace outgoing mainstay
Leeds United are interested in signing Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez next season, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist shared that he expects Kiko Casilla to leave Elland Road in the summer, with the Spaniard midway through his racism ban in the Championship.
Illan Meslier has stepped in during his absence, and Hay believes that the Frenchman will make his move permanent alongside another possible signing once the season is over.
Hay also claimed that it would be Meslier who likely ends up as the first-choice stopper next season, with Marcelo Bielsa impressed with the youngster.
“If Casilla goes (which he might well do) then they’ll need to think about another keeper,” he wrote in an Athletic Q&A.
“One who’s been mentioned to me is Emiliano Martinez at Arsenal (although Leeds intend to sign Meslier permanently and there’s every chance that he could end up as first choice next season. Bielsa thinks he’s good enough).”
Martinez would arrive at Elland Road with plenty of top-flight experience under his best having been at the Emirates Stadium for nearly 10 years.
The 27-year-old has mainly been used by the Gunners in the Europa League this season and is far down the pecking order in the Premier League due to Bernd Leno.
There would be question marks over whether or not someone such as Martinez would come to West Yorkshire to play second fiddle to Meslier, but the attraction of Bielsa to a fellow Argentine could be massive.
This year has been one of the first seasons that Martinez hasn’t been loaned out by Arsenal, and Leeds may look to tempt their resistance in the summer with a bid for the keeper – we expect a loan-to-buy if anything.
In other Leeds United news, Jermaine Beckford makes big claim about Whites squad ahead of trip to Cardiff on Sunday