On Friday, journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported Aston Villa have identified Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier as an ideal candidate to replace Emiliano Martínez.
The Argentina international’s future needs to be clarified after claims from his country last week stated he will leave the Villans if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Unai Emery’s side missed out on Europe’s elite competition after finishing sixth, level on points with fifth placed Newcastle United. Sacha Tavolieri, writing in his column for Sky Sport CH, provides the latest on Aston Villa’s interest in Chevalier.
Due to Martínez’s situation, the English club are looking at options and have identified the 23-year-old as a priority target.
Tavolieri states Aston Villa director Monchi is in ongoing discussions with Chevalier’s agent and has talked about personal terms, without presenting a formal offer.
Chevalier ‘would be delighted’ to join Aston Villa and feels the Premier League move could improve his chances of representing France.
According to the journalist, Emery’s side have to raise funds before making a bid for the Frenchman. He adds Lille president Olivier Létang is asking for €40m to let one of his best players leave in the summer window.
