Report: Arsenal forced to pay £500,000 clause for goalkeeper Emi Martinez

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Argentine tabloid Clarin have claimed that Arsenal have been forced to pay Independiente a £500,000 fee after goalkeeper Emi Martinez played more than 10 games for The Gunners this season.

Martinez, 27, joined Arsenal from Argentine side Independiente a decade ago as a teenager and has since mamaged just 24 appearances for the north London club in all competitions. However, 10 of those came this season.

With the Argentina Under-20 international becoming Arsenal’s number two this season, Martinez has been used by both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta this season – with six of his 10 outings coming in the Europa League.

Now Martinez has played 10 matches for Arsenal this season, the north London club have been forced to pay a clause in the goalkeeper’s contract – a whopping £500,000.

TBR’s view – Does Martinez have much of a future at Arsenal?

The stopper has two years remaining on his contract with the Gunners and although he has been linked with Leeds United in the past, it does not look as though he will be leaving The Emirates any time soon.

That is largely because he is a more than adept goalkeeper – but happy to remain as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper. As soon as that changes, Martinez would surely be allowed to leave, given the loyalty he has shown the club over the last 10 years.