Owen Asemota: After signing Martinez 4 years ago, Aston Villa set to acquire another Arsenal-trained GK

English Premier League club Aston Villa are on the verge of confirming the signing of England underage international of Nigerian descent Owen Asemota.

Allnigeriasoccer.com reported nine months ago that Aston Villa alongside Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea were monitoring the situation of the Hale End Academy product,

Asemota was offered a scholarship deal by the Gunners but he has decided to embark on a new chapter in his career.

According to Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird, Aston Villa have won the race for the services of the Anglo-Nigerian glovesman.

The deal is going through the Premier League's five-step investigation process before it is completed.

The report added that Arsenal are poised to receive £1 million in compensation for the deal due to Asemota, 16, having been developed at the club’s Hale End academy over many years.

This is not the first time Aston Villa are bringing in a goalkeeper trained at the Arsenal academy in recent years, having acquired Argentina international Emiliano Martínez in 2020.

And the South American has seen his stock rise ever since he moved to Villa Park, winning the 2022 World Cup, 2021 and 2024 Copa America, Yashin Trophy and The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper. 

In his final season as a schoolboy, Asemota made his debut in the U18 Premier League against West Brom in April and appeared in two more matches in the division before the season ended. 

He will be aiming to emulate Nigerian quartet Gabby Agbonlahor, Carney Chukwuemeka, Tim Iroegbunam and Nathan Delfouneso who rose through the youth team ranks to make their first team debuts for Aston Villa.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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