Aston Villa eye long-term Emi Martinez replacement as contact made ahead of January move
Aston Villa could be about to secure their long-term replacement for Emi Martinez in the January transfer window.
The Argentine goalkeeper has come back into the starting XI in the last month, but the situation regarding his future still feels precarious in B6.
Martinez pushed to leave Aston Villa throughout the summer transfer window, and even made a personal call to international teammate Lisandro Martinez to try and facilitate a late move to Manchester United.
Unai Emery’s trust in the 33-year-old still appears to be fairly fragile, and as a result, it is little surprise to see that the Villans are lining up a potential replacement in January.
Aston Villa in contact over Yanis Benchaouch swoop in January
Martinez appears to be back on board at Aston Villa for now, but there are no guarantees that he won’t take a similar stance regarding his future this winter.
Marco Bizot has done a capable job as the number two so far this season, but with him also nearing the end of his career at the age of 34, it is certainly prudent for the second city outfit to begin looking at younger options.
They now appear to be exploring that possibility, as they are showing a keen interest in Moroccan gloveman Yanis Benchaouch, according to Africa Foot.
- Benchaouch is part of Monaco’s U21 squad at present
- He featured on the bench for their first-team against Club Brugge in September
- He has conceded just three goals in four games at the U20 World Cup
The 19-year-old is currently on the books at Monaco, but Villa are understood to have contacted his family in order to weigh up the possibility of a move for him this winter.
Benchaouch is quickly establishing himself as a hugely promising talent between the posts, and Emery and Co. are believed to view him as a potential investment for the future.
The starlet is currently away with Morocco for the U20 World Cup, where his side face a semi-final clash with France on Wednesday 15 October.
Benchaouch is yet to make his senior debut for Monaco after joining their academy setup in 2021, and featured on the bench for them in the Champions League in September.
Villa need to sanction Emi Martinez sale
Martinez’s actions regarding his Aston Villa future in the summer could easily have a lasting effect.
The former Arsenal shot stopper may currently be back in the team, but only those on the inside at Villa Park will truly know whether the trust has been totally repaired between him, Emery and the rest of the squad.
For now, Martinez’s inclusion feels likely to be more out of necessity than anything else, given that he is a significantly stronger option than Bizot and his exit route is currently closed.
However, with everything that has gone on between the two parties, it may ultimately be beneficial for Villa to grant him the move that he has been clamouring for in January.
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