Juventus pursue Emiliano Martinez for £20m summer deal

Emiliano Martinez’s future at Aston Villa is under scrutiny as Juventus have intensified their pursuit of the goalkeeper. Multiple reports confirm Serie A side Juventus have made enquiries about Martinez, valued at £20m, in recent weeks. Fabrizio Romano corroborated the interest, stating intermediaries are actively pushing the potential transfer. Juventus’s financial constraints following their Champions League exit have refocused their recruitment on cost-effective options. Juventus previously targeted Liverpool’s Alisson Becker but were rebuffed. Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio highlighted Martinez’s winning mentality and leadership as key traits aligning with Juventus’s rebuilding project. Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario remains an alternative, though Inter Milan have withdrawn from the race. Martinez’s contract at Aston Villa runs until 2029, with a reported weekly wage of £230,000. Villa face pressure from UEFA’s Squad Cost Rules, making a sale financially attractive despite Martinez’s recent Europa League triumph. Aston Villa are planning contingencies, with Manchester City’s James Trafford and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen identified as potential replacements. The club must balance sentiment with financial prudence as Champions League preparations loom. Martinez won the Europa League final 3-0 against Freiburg, marking his 256th appearance for Aston Villa since joining from Arsenal in 2020. His departure would free up wages but risks leaving a void in goal for the Champions League campaign.