Emi Martinez's replacement? Aston Villa in talks with €40m Lille goalkeeper amid claims Argentine is headed for summer transfer

Martinez has recently been linked with a move away from Villa Park, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly in contact. According to Sacha Tavolieri, Villa have begun talks with Lille over a potential move for Lucas Chevalier as they look for Martinez's replacement. Villa's sporting director Monchi is already in discussions with Chevalier’s agents regarding personal terms, although no official bid has been submitted yet.

Chevalier is seen as one of France’s brightest goalkeeping talents, having broken into the national team setup and keeping 11 clean sheets in Ligue 1 this season. He’s expected to challenge Mike Maignan for France’s No. 1 spot in the near future. With Villa qualifying for European football next season, securing a reliable long-term replacement for Martinez is a priority for them.

The 23-year-old made his Ligue 1 debut for Lille in 2022 and was named in the French senior squad for the first time earlier this year, highlighting his rapid rise. His current contract with Lille runs until 2027, giving the club a strong leverage in negotiations. However, Tavolieri also reported that a fee of around €40 million (£34m/$43m) may be enough to convince Lille to sell.

Villa will soon decide whether or not to make an official offer as they await news on Martinez's future, with coach Unai Emery denying that the shot stopper is on the way out.