Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 2 June 2026 18:00, UK

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is already being mentioned in transfer discussions.

The Argentine spent the vast majority of last summer angling for a move away, before eventually staying at Villa Park.

This would frustrate both Villa fans and Unai Emery, with the latter cutting a frustrated figure at the end of the transfer window.

Martinez has been an integral cog since joining the Villans in 2020, naturally gathering interest as a result of his performances.

But, if he is to move on to pastures new, Emery will want a swift resolution this time around.

Italian giants join Emi Martinez transfer race with Villa future unclear

After a series of loan spells limited Martinez to just 38 appearances for Arsenal, he has since made 256 appearances between the sticks for Villa, keeping 80 clean sheets in the process.

Last month, the Argentine would pick up his first trophy as an Aston Villa player, keeping a clean sheet in the 3-0 Europa League final win against Freiburg.

Having been linked with a move to Inter Milan earlier this year, fresh reports from Italy indicate further Serie A interest.

Sky Italy outline that Juventus are interested in his signature, with Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario also mentioned as a potential arrival.

The Bianconeri were ready to make a big push for Liverpool’s Alisson, before the decision was made to see him stay at Anfield.

Martinez is said to have the right personality that Juve are looking for, while Villa’s position is unclear, with three years remaining on his current deal.

Aston Villa cannot allow another Emi Martinez saga to unfold

At the end of the 2024-25 term, the 33-year-old appeared to have said an emotional goodbye to the B6 outfit.

Instead, after a summer of interest from Manchester United, Martinez would stay in the Midlands, with United opting for Senne Lammens of Antwerp.

This caught Villa off guard, with no replacement secured should he have gone, while there was little time to do so, with the saga stretching out until the final days of the window.

With Villa returning to the Champions League and looking to shift through the gears after the Europa League win, Emery will want the majority of his squad set in stone for pre-season.

If the Villans do have to enter the market for a goalkeeper this summer, so be it, but this cannot be left until the final days of the window.

Should Martinez move on, the only favourable outcome for Villa is an early solution, or the rest of what could be a transformative window could be jeopardised.