Emi Martinez to convince friend Paulo Dybala to sign for Aston Villa in January transfer window after £10.7m reveal

Villa News is delighted to welcome aboard our brilliant new columnist Bryan King, the former goalkeeper who spent over 10 years as a scout at Aston Villa and 28 years in total in first-team scouting roles. Bryan also spent six years on Tottenham’s recruitment team and eight years scouting at Everton…

Bryan King believes Emiliano Martinez being friends with Roma ace Paulo Dybala could be a good way of persuading the striker to join Aston Villa.

According to the Daily Star (1 January), the former Juventus star is available for clubs outside of Italy to sign for €13million (£10.7million) this month due to a release clause in his contract.

The Argentine international, who is a friend of Villa goalkeeper Martinez, has scored six goals from his 18 appearances this season.

Speaking to Villa News, King said: “He sounds like a winner. Martinez is a winner, a World Cup winner. And if they’re friends, it’s a good way to bring a new player into the football club, because Martinez will know him.

“It sounds as though his fee must have been sorted out before Jose Mourinho went to Roma, because I would have thought he wouldn’t be too happy if he’s been a regular member of the Roma team.”

Dybala is not enjoying his best campaign in front of goal, but the 30-year-old still has six goals and six assists to his name.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has proven he is more than willing to bolster his attacking options, with the likes of Moussa Diaby and Nicolo Zaniolo signed by the current boss.

And they could perhaps be joined by Dybala this month should the Midlands club look to take advantage of the attacker’s low release clause.

In other Aston Villa news, one 96% Villa Park ace is set for increased responsibility after recent comments from Emery.

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