Aston Villa have been informed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is seeking a move away from the club, according to comments made by Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti. The Argentina international has been with Villa since a £17 million transfer from Arsenal in 2020, and has consistently been linked with moves away during the past two transfer windows.
Spalletti publicly acknowledged Martinez’s desire for a change of scenery while discussing Juventus’s goalkeeping options. “Dibu Martinez? He's a goalkeeper who wants to change clubs, and we're looking for competitiveness,” Spalletti stated in quotes published by Gazzetta dello Sport. He also noted the club currently has two goalkeepers, seemingly tempering expectations of a swift deal.
These comments follow revelations that Martinez will undergo surgery on a hand injury sustained before Aston Villa’s Europa League final win against Freiburg in May. The 33-year-old previously played through the pain at the World Cup, but has now been advised to have an operation. Martinez himself admitted the injury caused him daily pain and that he had previously avoided surgery despite recommendations from medical professionals.
Despite Martinez’s apparent desire to leave, Aston Villa have been firm in their stance that he will not be sold. Damian Vidagany, the club’s director of football operations, stated prior to Argentina’s World Cup semi-final that the goalkeeper’s future was settled and that the club had no intention of letting him go this summer. Vidagany emphasized Martinez’s importance to the team and the club’s project for the upcoming season.
Juventus’s interest appears to be cooling as a result of both Aston Villa’s firm position and Martinez’s need for surgery. While Spalletti has expressed admiration for the goalkeeper, a combination of these factors suggests Martinez is likely to remain at Villa Park for the forthcoming season, despite his personal preference.
