Aston Villa are not planning to stand in the way of Emiliano Martinez if it becomes clear that he wants to seal his departure from Villa Park after Atletico Madrid have started to show interest ahead of the transfer window reopening for business in the summer, GIVEMESPORT sources have exclusively revealed.
Although Villans boss Unai Emery is preparing to welcome 18-year-old defender Yasin Ozcan to the Midlands in the coming weeks, thanks to pre-agreeing a deal worth close to £6million with Turkish outfit Kasimpasa, the tactician is also preparing to oversee departures as he aims to make adjustments to his squad.
Martinez has been on Aston Villa's books since completing a £17million switch from Premier League rivals Arsenal in September 2020 but, having been courted in the final weeks of the campaign, it is becoming a serious possibility that this weekend's clash with Manchester United will be his final appearance for the side.
Villans On Course to Sanction Exit of Martinez
Argentina international could leave despite Champions League spot
Emiliano Martinez in action for Aston Villa
Aston Villa are expected to sell Martinez during the summer, according to GMS sources, and La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid have become the latest side to show a desire to persuade him to embark on a fresh challenge as they go in search of a potential replacement for current first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
The World Cup-winning Argentina international still has four years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket £150,000-per-week, but the Villans are not planning to stand in his way if a suitable proposal is lodged and they discover he wants to test himself in new surroundings.
GMS sources have been informed that Martinez could still depart from Aston Villa if they seal qualification for the Champions League and, having enjoyed another positive season between the sticks, Atletico Madrid are keen to win the race for his signature even though Manchester United will be in the mix if Andre Onana leaves.
Emiliano Martinez's statistics for Aston Villa this season
The 32-year-old shot-stopper was visibly emotional following the Villans' win over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, fuelling speculation that it was his final home encounter for his current employers and he is preparing to head for the exit door before the 2025/26 campaign gets underway.
Atletico Madrid are in the market for a new custodian as Oblak could be given the chance to move onto pastures new as part of a squad refresh at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, GMS sources have learned, leading to Martinez being earmarked as a potential recruit by head coach Diego Simeone and influential figures behind the scenes.
Martinez Still Has Desire to Remain in Europe
Goalkeeper not prioritising switch to big-spending Saudi Pro League
Emiliano Martinez in action for Aston Villa
GMS sources have been told that Martinez's preference is to remain in Europe if he leaves Aston Villa, despite drawing interest from the big-spending Saudi Pro League, and Atletico Madrid will have to pay in the region of £40million in order to stand a chance of getting the deal over the line in the coming months.
Uncertainty over the future of the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Reading loanee, who has been described as 'world-class' by Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell, has resulted in Emery assessing the market and attempting to identify a potential replacement in preparation for the summer transfer window.
Aston Villa could join the likes of Arsenal and Atletico Madrid in the race for Espanyol's Joan Garcia if they lose Martinez, GMS sources understand, but his release clause will rise from £21million to £25million if he is rewarded with a first international cap for Spain due to the terms in his contract.
Unai Emery Related
Aston Villa Making £25m Move to Sign 'Complete' Star for No.10 Role
The Villans hold a long-term interest in the young midfielder.
There have also been reports that Caoimhin Kelleher could arrive from Liverpool as he seeks more game time after finding himself behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order at Anfield, highlighting that the Villans are contemplating which direction to head in before the 2025/26 campaign.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 20/05/2025
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