Arsenal 'accept £16m Aston Villa bid for Emiliano Martinez'

Arsenal have reportedly accepted a £16m bid from Aston Villa for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The 28-year-old is understood to have turned down the offer of a new contract at the Emirates Stadium after failing to receive the first-team assurances he wanted from manager Mikel Arteta.

Martinez was left out of Arsenal's squad for their Premier League opener against Fulham today, with Bernd Leno keeping a clean sheet in their 3-0 win.

The Gunners were thought to be holding out for £20m for the Argentine, who impressed as a stand-in for the injured Leno at the end of last season, but Sky Sports News reports that they have now accepted an initial £16m bid from Villa.

The deal could eventually rise to Arsenal's £20m asking price, with Martinez now expected to undergo a medical at Villa this weekend.

Personal terms have reportedly already been agreed as the shot-stopper closes in on a five-year deal to bring an end to his 10-year stay at Arsenal.