Aston Villa's summer has been dominated by transfer speculation as Unai Emery balances strengthening his squad with keeping hold of several key players.
The club have continued to work on defensive reinforcements following the arrival of Johan Manzambi, while links with other new midfield additions have also persisted.
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At the same time, Villa have spent weeks fending off interest in goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, with Juventus making the Argentina international their priority target between the posts.
What initially appeared to be a difficult negotiation has now taken a more dramatic turn.
Emiliano Martínez tipped to force Aston Villa exit amid club rift
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Martínez has decided he wants to leave Villa Park and is frustrated by the club's refusal to sanction his departure.
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The Italian newspaper claims the situation has deteriorated to the point where a rift has developed between the World Cup winner and the Premier League side, with the goalkeeper prepared to stand firm in pursuit of a move to Juventus.
That represents a significant shift in the story.
Earlier this summer, reports from Italy suggested Villa were willing to listen to offers in the right circumstances while Juventus attempted to negotiate a reduced fee after reaching an agreement in principle with the player.
However, Villa have recently moved to publicly reinforce their position, insisting Martínez remains a central part of Emery's plans despite continued interest from Turin.
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The contrasting messages leave the transfer at an intriguing stage.
If La Gazzetta are correct, Martínez believes the time is right for a fresh challenge after helping Villa establish themselves among England's leading clubs.
Juventus, meanwhile, view the 33-year-old as an experienced solution capable of immediately strengthening a position they have prioritised throughout the window.
Emery faces big Aston Villa blow with Martinez exit
Since arriving from Arsenal in 2020, Martínez has transformed into one of Europe's elite goalkeepers.
His commanding presence, leadership and ability to produce decisive saves in high-pressure moments have made him one of Emery's most trusted players.
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Replacing those qualities would be an enormous challenge, even if the club were to receive a respectable transfer fee.
That explains why negotiations have proved so complicated.
Juventus have consistently looked for a discount, while Villa have shown little desire to weaken a squad still targeting success both domestically and in the Champions League.
Unless one side softens its stance, the impasse could continue for some time.
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He's enjoyed an excellent tournament.