Emiliano Martinez has fuelled speculation about a summer move to FC Barcelona after being spotted at the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
The timing of his arrival is raising eyebrows, as it coincides with his agent Jorge Mendes’ meetings with Barça officials, primarily centred around Lamine Yamal and Ansu Fati.
However, the presence of the Aston Villa goalkeeper in Catalonia has inevitably sparked suggestions that his name may have come up in the club’s internal discussions as well.
Certain to leave Aston Villa
The Argentine World Cup winner is widely expected to leave Aston Villa this summer, even though his contract runs until 2029.
According to sources from England, Martinez is exploring options to move on, particularly with an eye on Champions League football. While interest from Saudi Arabia is reported, his priority remains a move within Europe’s elite.
Emiliano Martinez has been spotted in Barcelona. (Credit: Jijantes)
His current club, Villa, will only participate in the Europa League next season, which may not match the goalkeeper’s sporting ambitions at this point in his career.
Linked to Barcelona
It is also no secret that Barcelona are actively looking for a new goalkeeper. With Inaki Pena set to leave and the Wojciech Szczesny operation stalling due to his silence over a renewal deal, the club’s sporting department is carefully scanning the market.
Other options like Joan Garcia have also been mentioned, but Martinez’s profile offers a blend of top-level experience, leadership, and a winner’s mentality that Barça could find very attractive.
Given all this, seeing Martinez in Barcelona cannot be brushed off as a mere coincidence. While there is no official confirmation that the goalkeeper met with club representatives, the optics of the situation are intriguing.
Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are reportedly monitoring his situation as well, but with Barcelona also looking for a solid presence between the posts, a potential transfer to Camp Nou looks like a realistic proposition.