World Cup-winner Emi Martinez could leave Aston Villa this summer - with Manchester United just one of the clubs linked
Emi Martinez of Aston Villa
Will he stay or will he go? Villa keeper Emi Martinez
(Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Emi Martinez’s future at Aston Villa is uncertain this summer transfer window.
After breaking down in tears on the Villa Park pitch following the club’s final home game of the season against Tottenham, it became apparent that Martinez believed he might have played his final match for the club.
At that time, it was known that the Argentina international was attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League.
However, Martinez wants to remain in European football, knowing he still has the chance to compete for major honours.
At Villa, he reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, plus the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They also reached the last four of the Europa Conference League in the previous campaign.
"I want silverware for this club,” Martinez stressed back in January. “I was very frustrated when we were knocked out by Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
“The fans deserve a trip to Wembley at the end of the season. It’s something the club has missed for many years. I know how special winning cups is, both for myself and for the fans, and I want to experience that with Aston Villa."
Now, Martinez faces a big decision - should he continue pursuing silverware with Villa or move on to another club in the hope of realising his dream?
Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are both interested in Martinez, but as a goalkeeper the transfer hinges on other moves.
Atletico would need to sell Jan Oblak, while United are looking for a buyer for Andre Onana.
Ruben Amorim wants to recruit a new goalkeeper, and while they have been alerted to Martinez's potential exit, it is said the Red Devils are keeping a watching brief for now.
Even if Villa were open to selling Martinez, a deal was never going to be concluded swiftly - even though a quick exit for the right money would aid the club's compliance with the Premier League profit and sustainability rules and UEFA’s squad cost regulations.
Martinez is one of Villa’s top earners, having signed a new long-term contract only last year, and he would command a sizable transfer fee.
If Villa were to accept an offer in the coming weeks, they would need to have already lined up a replacement. Lille’s Lucas Chevalier and Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro are reportedly on Villa’s radar.
Monchi will likely sign at least one goalkeeper this summer since Robin Olsen left the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.
Martinez is settled in the West Midlands and has a young family. His wife, Mandinha, downplayed suggestions that the emotions he showed after the Tottenham game indicated he is leaving the club.
"He wasn't in tears," she told Ed James on BBC WM when asked if it was a goodbye to the fans.
"No. Anybody who knows Emi knows he is an emotional character and that's who he is. It just shows you how much he loves the Villa fans. I love the Villa fans. We love Villa."
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