Published: 6 hours ago

Aston Villa contact Lucas Chevalier amid Emi Martinez exit links

Aston Villa and Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing 23-year-old French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Lucas Chevalier is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Emiliano Martinez’s long-term future. So, the LOSC Lille mainstay has emerged as a target, with the West Midlands club sounding out his entourage.

Meanwhile, a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes has claimed that the Frenchman is a target for FC Barcelona. The newly crowned La Liga champions are keen on reinforcing their goalkeeping unit in the summer transfer window amid the advancing years of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny. So, the LOSC Lille goalkeeper is a target for the Catalan outfit.

The rise and rise of Lucas Chevalier

Lucas Chevalier has established himself as the best shot-stopper in Ligue 1 in the last few seasons. A native of Calais, the 23-year-old spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at LOSC Lille. However, he did not establish a foothold in Les Dogues’ first-team squad until he enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Valenciennes.

The French stopper was exceptional in the 2024/25 campaign and won the Goalkeeper of the Season award in Ligue 1 this term. He conceded only 36 goals in 34 Ligue 1 outings while keeping 11 clean sheets. Chevalier’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe, including Aston Villa and Barcelona.

A man in demand

Aston Villa’s interest in Lucas Chevalier is understandable. The Villans are keen on reinforcing their goalkeeping unit in the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Emiliano Martinez’s long-term future. So, several candidates, including Joan Garcia, have emerged on Aston Villa’s radar. Chevalier is also a viable target for the West Midlands outfit, and they have sounded out the Frenchman’s camp over a summer move.

As for Barcelona, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny are in the twilight of their careers. In addition, Inaki Pena will likely leave the Catalan club in the summer transfer window. So, the newly crowned La Liga champions need a top-class goalkeeper, with Chevalier an option worth considering.

While the opportunity to join Barcelona may be appealing, Aston Villa will likely offer him the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper’s berth. So, it will be interesting to see where the 23-year-old French stopper plies his trade in the 2025/26 season.

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