ASTON VILLA have joined the hunt for Caoimhin Kelleher – as major eye Emi Martinez.
Liverpool‘s £30million-rated back-up keeper Kelleher has also been linked with Chelsea and West Ham.
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Villa‘s interest comes as Martinez appeared to bid a tearful farewell to home fans after Friday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
The Argentinian’s future is uncertain, although it’s understood Manchester United, Barcelona and Saudi Pro League teams are amongst clubs monitoring his situation.
It means finding a new No1 is a summer priority for Villa boss Unai Emery.
Sources close to the Midlands club say Ireland star Kelleher is being tracked.
The 26-year-old is itching for regular first-team football after failing to dislodge Brazilian ace Alisson at Anfield.
Villa are reportedly also monitoring Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, who is also said to have been on Arsenal and Man Utd’s ‘s radar over the last year.
The Spaniard, 24, is sure to be in demand.
And Villa know that such fierce competition for Garcia would likely lead to a long fight for his signature.
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So it’s claimed club chiefs are focusing their sights more keenly on Kelleher.
He’s proved himself more than capable when as Alisson’s deputy, having kept eight clean sheets in his 25 Premier League appearances for the newly-crowned champions.
Kelleher is also believed to prefer staying in the Prem to moving overseas.
And Villa look an attractive option, especially if they could once more qualify for the Champions League.
Georgia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili is arriving at Liverpool over the summer.
So Kelleher might drop down to third-choice, should he stay with Arne Slot‘s men.
Slot is thought to have told club officials he expects Kelleher to depart.
