Latest Aston Villa transfer news as unlikely reports emerge from Turkey concerning future of World Cup-winning goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez
Emi Martinez has been linked with several club this summer
(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa are said to be looking for a modest €20m to sell World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
That equates to less than £17m, and would be lower than the fee Villa paid to recruit the Argentina star from Arsenal in September 2020.
Martinez has been coy on his future ever since he was seen in tears after Villa played their final home game of the season last month.
Back on international duty with Argentina this week, he told reporters: "My future? I don't know. I'm here to play for the national team, and that's all I care about right now.
“Do I want to change clubs? The transfer market has just opened, so there's still a lot to do.”
Speculation linking Villa with a host of rival goalkeeping options has only intensified talk that Martinez will be on his way once a suitable deal is tabled.
However, few had suspected the Villa hierarchy would be willing to accept the modest fee now being claimed by the Turkish media.
Martinez is said to be of interest to several clubs ranging from Barcelona, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, various Saudi Pro League outfits, plus Galatasaray, and that is where the latest claims have emerged.
According to Futbol Arena (via Sport Witness) the new Super Lig champions are looking for a goalkeeper to replace Fernando Muslera, the veteran Uruguayan said to be returning home for family reasons.
And the man they want? Yes, it is Martinez, with journalist Ali Naci Kucuk claiming Villa are looking for up to £20m less than the £40m fee widely reported in the UK.
He adds: “There are very high-level offers for Emiliano Martinez. They want a fee in the region of €20m to €25m.”
Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin and Liverpool’s Alisson are also reported targets for Galatasaray, with the Ukrainian the likeliest to arrive in Istanbul, according to Sport Witness.
Martinez, now aged 32, has made 53 appearances for Villa this season and is under contract until June 2029 after signing a new deal last summer.
Tuesday’s edition of Argentine newspaper Clarin claims he is keen on a change of scenery this summer and a "leap forward" in his career.