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Tottenham Hotspur 'leading Manchester United, Chelsea in Emiliano Martinez race'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 11 May 2023

Spurs 'leading Man United, Chelsea in Emiliano Martinez race'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly leading Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The 30-year-old spent eight years at Arsenal and was loaned out to six different clubs before joining Villa on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020.

Martinez has since established himself as the undisputed number one at Villa Park and has kept 13 clean sheets in 33 Premier League appearances so far this season.

The shot-stopper helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and he received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper of the tournament in Qatar.

Martinez is under contract at Villa Park until June 2027 and he revealed last month that he is prepared to remain at the club for "many years".

Young Player of the Tournament Enzo Fernandez, Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi and Golden Glove winner Emiliano Martinez pose with their trophies on December 18, 2022 © Reuters

"My career went through the roof since I joined the club. I've always said I'm grateful to this club and I love being here, Martinez told reporters as quoted by The Sun.

"My family is happy at the club, my boy is obsessed with playing football and he plays for the Under-6s in the academy. We're loving our time here and hopefully there are many years to come."

However, according to TYC Sports, there is still a possibility of Martinez leaving Villa this summer, with Premier League trio Spurs, Man United and Chelsea all interested in his services.

The report adds that Tottenham are currently ahead of both Man United and Chelsea in the race for his signature, with the North London club identifying the former Gunners goalie as a replacement for Hugo Lloris.

Argentina's Emiliano Martinez celebrates after the match on February 1, 2022 © Reuters

Spurs are reportedly prepared to sell Lloris this summer, with the 36-year-old unlikely to be offered an extension to his contract that expires in June 2024.

The Frenchman, who played against Martinez in the 2022 World Cup final, has come under fire in recent months having made a number of mistakes between the sticks this season.

Lloris is understood to have received a triple-your-money contract offer from an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia, but it remains to be seen whether he will be tempted by a switch to the Middle East.

Lloris has spent the last 11 years at Tottenham and currently sits eighth on the club's all-time appearance list, with the former Lyon shot-stopper closing in on his 450th game in all competitions.

Aston Villa play host to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, although Lloris will not be involved as he has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.