Juventus are intensifying their efforts to sign Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, with the player potentially intervening directly with his current club to facilitate the transfer. The move comes after Martinez’s participation in the World Cup, where he recorded a tournament-high 10 saves during the 90 minutes of play in the final against Spain.
Juventus and Martinez’s representatives have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a three-year contract worth €5 million per year plus bonuses. However, negotiations with Aston Villa, where Martinez is contracted until 2029, have stalled. Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali has offered a total of €6.5 million, combining a loan fee and an option to buy, but Aston Villa are reportedly seeking nearly double that amount, bolstered by recent high-profile player sales including Tielemans to Manchester United and Malen to Roma.
Now that the World Cup has concluded, Juventus are hoping Martinez will actively seek a transfer from Aston Villa, citing his desire for a new experience. The Argentine goalkeeper previously attempted to force a move to Manchester United last year, but was unsuccessful. Juventus officials are cautiously optimistic, but aware of the previous difficulties, and expect a clearer picture of the situation by mid-week.
Should Juventus fail to reach an agreement with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remains their primary alternative. While Vicario lacks the experience, leadership, and personality of Martinez, and is less favoured by Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, he is younger and would be available for a more affordable fee. Vicario currently serves as the understudy to Gianluigi Donnarumma for the Italian national team. Juventus, however, remain committed to pursuing Martinez and will attempt to determine if he can influence the outcome of negotiations with Aston Villa before turning their attention elsewhere.
