Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez(Image: Getty)
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Juventus are said to have ended their transfer interest in Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez.
The Serie A club have been chasing Martinez throughout the summer, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now states they have formally told Villa their pursuit is over because “costs of the deal are too high”.
Juventus chief executive Giovanni Carnevali had made it clear Martinez was a summer transfer target, saying last month: “Martinez is playing (at the World Cup) so we have to wait and see.
"He is a goalkeeper who interests us. However, I reiterate what I said earlier regarding Juventus: there could be many opportunities.
“We need to evaluate things carefully, especially right now, given that the valuations for some players are excessively high - unrealistic figures.”
Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany, however, had stated Martinez, who suffered World Cup final heartbreak with Argentina against Spain, was going nowhere.
“The goalkeeper’s future is settled, he is staying with us, and we have no intention of letting him go this summer,” Vidagany said.
“The team needs his efforts and extensive experience, and he is a very important element in our project for next season.
“All the news published by the media about his departure to Juventus does not reflect the club’s true position.
“Martinez is a very important player for us, and we expect him to continue delivering his outstanding performances alongside his teammates.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported Juventus and Martinez’s agents had “reached an agreement in principle” on a three-year contract worth €5m per year.
It is also claimed Carnevali offered a total of €6.5m for an initial loan and future permanent transfer.
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