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Emiliano Martinez transfer value soars amid development, Aston Villa willing to listen to summer offers - BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Alan Hutton believes Emiliano Martinez’s transfer value could be on the rise with each strong performance he puts in wearing an Aston Villa shirt.
Martinez, 30, put in a man-of-the-match-worthy shift for the Villans on Sunday (2 April) when they won 2-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentina number one’s stock is already high after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as being handed the Golden Glove award.
Martinez has been linked with numerous clubs, with the Daily Mail reporting on 21 February that Aston Villa will listen to offers for their goalkeeper in the upcoming summer transfer window.
It is understood that a “high price” will be needed and, according to Hutton, that price is being driven up with performances like the one the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper had at Chelsea.
When asked if Martinez’s value goes up after each strong performance, Hutton told Villa News: “Probably.
“Ultimately, I don’t want to see him go.
“He’s been an excellent player for Villa in the time that he’s been there. They’re going places. They’re only a few points off sixth position, I think, which is quite incredible.
I know the likes of Brighton haven’t played as much but Aston Villa have had a brilliant season since Unai Emery came in, they’re in a great run of form and they’re building for the future.
“If Martinez was to leave, what team would he go to? Does he see himself at a team with higher ambitions than Villa? A team that he’s going to walk into in the top four and play every week? These are questions he’ll need to answer but I’d love to see him stay.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant. He’s a key part of the team, on and off the pitch, so hopefully he doesn’t move.”
Martinez kept his ninth clean sheet of the Premier League season for Villa on Sunday.
In other Aston Villa news, the club’s academy staff have been slammed over a Phil Foden nickname.