Serie A giants Inter Milan have had a €15 million bid for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez rejected.
According to Gaston Edul, Inter will return with a higher offer for the Argentine international.
They need a goalkeeper following the departure of Andre Onana to Manchester United.
Inter have also lost stalwart Samir Handanovic, who left the club following the expiration of his deal.
Martinez is looking to move away after three years with Villa. He established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Europe during his time at the club.
The 30-year-old progressed through Arsenal’s academy and made his senior team debut in 2012. He went on several loans looking to establish himself in senior football.
Martinez played for Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Getafe and Reading before breaking through at Arsenal in 2020.
Following an injury to first-choice Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno, Martinez got plenty of game time and impressed, especially in the FA Cup final against Chelsea. Arsenal won thanks to his heroics, but he left that summer.
The Mar del Plata-born shot-stopper became an Argentina international and helped them win the Copa America and 2022 World Cup, further enhancing his reputation.
Martinez became one of the Villa’s vice-captains last season but is seeking a new adventure. He could find it with last year’s Champions League finalists.
The goalkeeper has a contract until 2027, and it remains unclear how much Villa will demand. However, it should be affordable if Inter are coming back with a new bid.
The Nerazzurri have been linked with moves for Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer and Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris but have landed on Martinez.
With two of their goalkeepers gone, Inter must be quick in the market to find replacements.
