Runar Alex Runarsson: Arsenal in talks for Dijon 'keeper as Emiliano Martinez nears Aston Villa move
Emiliano Martinez posts emotional farewell message ahead of £16m move to Aston Villa this week
Tuesday 15 September 2020 21:29, UK
Arsenal are in advanced talks with Dijon over the signing of goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
The 25-year-old Iceland international has two years remaining on his contract with the French club having joined from Danish side Nordsjaelland in 2018.
Arsenal are in the market for a back-up 'keeper to compete with youngster Matt Macey, having accepted a £16m bid from Aston Villa for Emiliano Martinez, who is expected to complete the move to Villa Park this week.
The 28-year-old Argentinian posted an emotional farewell message to Arsenal supporters on Tuesday, in which he outlined his frustration at a lack of playing time during the majority of his 11-year stay at the club.
In a post on Instagram, Martinez said: "I could not be happier to leave through the front door, with the Arsenal fanbase supporting me.
"I'm very grateful for the 11 years at Arsenal, even if it was hard for me and I suffered through my time.
"Season after season I was trying come back to the club I love to try and have my chance.
"I'm proud to have overcome my frustration and show the Arsenal fanbase what it missed ten years ago. I knew I could do the same thing years before.
"It was hard, but I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel."
Martinez has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates and impressed when stepping in for first-choice 'keeper Bernd Leno when the German was injured in June, but the Gunners are actively looking to generate funding for further outfield signings in this window.
Auba stays, but who joins him?
The news all Arsenal fans were waiting for was finally confirmed on Tuesday, with the announcement of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new three-year contract.
The club can now focus their attentions solely on in-comings and outgoings for the remainder of the window.
They remain interested in Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey but Mikel Arteta would need to sanction at least one sale in order to activate the midfielder's £45m release clause.
Lucas Torreira looks likely to leave the Emirates this summer, with Arsenal in talks with Torino over a loan deal for the midfielder with a view to a permanent move.
Torino would pay Arsenal £22m in the deal over two equal instalments, with the club's Serie A rivals Fiorentina also interested in the midfielder.
Sky in Italy reported earlier this month of Napoli's interest in signing defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, but the Serie A club are hoping to negotiate a move for the 32-year-old which would not involve a transfer fee.
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A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports' digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
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