Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine goalkeeper who moved to Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 for around £16 million, has expressed his desire to leave the club for a chance to play in the Champions League.
Martinez has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and his stock rose considerably in December 2021 after helping Argentina win the World Cup. In the shootout, he denied Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni, securing Argentina’s victory.
Martinez has been vocal about his desire to play at a higher level than Villa, and he has indicated that he wants to participate in the Champions League. Although he has stated that he would like to do so with Villa, the team is currently eighth in the Premier League table, with an outside chance of reaching the top four. As a result, Villa is reluctantly willing to listen to offers for the goalkeeper.
The club’s reluctance is understandable, given Martinez’s performances since joining the team. However, they may be forced to sell him if they receive an offer that is too good to refuse. Unai Emery’s Villarreal is one club that has shown interest in the Argentine, but Premier League teams such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea are also considering making a move for him.
Manchester United needs a goalkeeper, with David de Gea prone to errors in games. Similarly, Kepa Arrizabalaga has deteriorated in his performances since replacing Mendy as Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper. With Hugo Lloris getting older, Spurs will also need a new goalkeeper next season, and the French international may leave the club in the summer.
Despite the interest from other clubs, it remains to be seen how much Aston Villa will ask for the former Arsenal goalkeeper. Liverpool spent around £72 million on Alisson Becker in 2018, while Chelsea paid approximately £67 million for Kepa Arrizabalaga. Martinez is sure to command a hefty transfer fee, but it remains to be seen whether Villa will be willing to let go of one of their star players.
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