Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez reacts
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez may well be coming to the end of his final season for the club, according to an update from transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Martinez linked with exit
The 30-year-old has arguably become one of the world’s most high-profile goalkeepers in recent months, following his 2022 World Cup heroics with Argentina, even being shortlisted for FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards.
Martinez was magnificent in Qatar, proving to be the hero in two penalty shootouts, and he has continued to be a strong performer for Villa too despite the unfortunate ending to the defeat against Arsenal.
However, recent reports have linked him with a move away in the summer transfer window despite being contracted at Villa Park until 2027, with his relationship with Unai Emery thought to be dangling by a thread.
The Latest: Fresh update emerges
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones suggested that Martinez is now in his final few months as a Villa player:
“You have to wonder if this will be Martinez’s last season at Villa. The talk just doesn’t go away and he is a huge character who has a mind of his own.
“I think, as a manager, you have to accept that or just draw a line and move on from him because there’s not really an in-between here.”
The Verdict: Feels highly likely
At this point, it would now be a massive surprise if Martinez stayed at Villa beyond this summer, with so many reports backing him to move elsewhere and the conflict with the manager seemingly bubbling under the surface.
At 30, the £120,000-a-week Argentine may feel that now is the time to challenge himself at a Champions League-playing club, and his performances on the big stage do merit a move to a team of that stature.
Rio Ferdinand called Martinez ‘fantastic’ during the World Cup and he is arguably one of Europe’s top ‘keepers right now, with his value skyrocketing in the last couple of seasons.
Therefore, NSWE can hopefully demand huge money for the 26-cap Argentina international’s signature, given his contract situation, which could go a long way towards improving Emery’s overall squad.
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