Aston Villa expect offers for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in summer
Aston Villa are expecting offers for goalkeeper and key man Emiliano Martinez this summer, but remain steadfast in their plans to keep him at Villa Park, according to the Daily Mail.
The World Cup winner has again proven an invaluable and pivotal part of the Villa backline since Unai Emery’s arrival, and is still contracted at the club until 2027 after signing a new five-year deal in January 2022.
The 30-year-old recently admitted in an interview [France Football, 10 February] that he thinks he has the levels to play Champions League football but remains hopeful of winning a title at Villa Park under Emery’s management in future.
According to the Daily Mail [14 February], Villa are fully braced for offers on the Argentinian superstar this summer, but are fully confident that they will be able to keep him at Villa Park because of his current contract.
However, the report does go on to claim that the final decision will rest on Emery and whether he feels Martinez is the suitable candidate to lead his team in the future.
Crucial player
There are no doubts that Emery will be planning to build his new side around Martinez who has constantly proven that he is an incredibly crucial player for the West Midlands outfit, and it’s why the club must do all they can to keep him.
His ambitions to play Champions League football are totally understandable as the tremendous achievement of winning the World Cup with Argentina has only heightened his hunger to play at the top level of club football.
And can Aston Villa finally achieve their long-held ambitions of a return to European football? It remains to be seen, but Emery is certainly the club’s best chance of reaching those lofty heights, so it’s whether Martinez has the patience and willingness to wait it out and stick to the Spaniard’s process.
Martinez certainly won’t be short of offers this summer, with so many elite European clubs, especially clubs in the Premier Leagues currently looking for new number-one goalkeepers.
Martinez is certainly in that bracket right now, but the question is, does Emery know what he’s got in Martinez or does he feel there’s a better candidate out there to lead his new team in between the sticks? Villa fans will find out this summer as the club undergo a huge rebuild.