Aston Villa are now keen on signing an "absolutely unreal" Premier League star, who could join alongside Manchester City's James Trafford.
Villa very keen on Trafford as Martinez replacement
Emiliano Martinez is well-known to have considered leaving Villa last summer, amid interest from Manchester United, but the Argentina international has now made it clear he is committed to the club, and hinted he may stay beyond the upcoming transfer window.
The goalkeeper said: "I have a commitment with Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club.
"One day I am going to retire, so someone else will need to be between the sticks."
However, it has since emerged the Villans are now scouring the market for replacements, with Man City goalkeeper Trafford among the options, having spent the majority of the 2025-26 campaign behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order.
The 23-year-old, who joined City from Burnley last summer, made just four Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, with Donnarumma arriving at a later stage of the transfer window, and he has now emerged as Unai Emery's top target to replace Martinez.
Emery is also looking to strengthen his defence this summer, and another Englishman has now been identified as a target.
"Absolutely unreal" player now attracting interest from Villa
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Aston Villa are now eyeing a move for Liverpool's Joe Gomez, with the centre-back's future at Anfield up in the air, given that he has just one year remaining on his £85,000-a-week contract.
Gomez has emerged as an option for the Villans due to his versatility, with the 15-cap England international capable of slotting in at right-back and left-back when required, although he is a centre-back by trade.
Liverpool's Joe Gomez in action with Barnsley's Reyes Cleary
This summer could be the Reds' last chance to offload their current longest-serving player for a fee, and there is plenty of interest from across the continent, with Besiktas and AC Milan also named as potential suitors.
The 29-year-old is very experienced in the Premier League, making 170 appearances in the competition for Liverpool, and he has been lauded as "absolutely unreal" by former footballer George Chomakov, in light of the way he's been able to slot in for Ibrahima Konate.
However, the former Charlton Athletic man has been playing a bit-part role as of late, with Arne Slot often leaving him on the bench or bringing him on as a late substitute during the 2025-26 campaign.
As such, Gomez may only be capable of playing a similar sort of role for Aston Villa next season, but Emery could do with increasing his squad depth ahead of a return to the Champions League, and Gomez's experience at the top level could be of great value.
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