Aston Villa Star Sending Transfer Signals To Serie A Club: What Should Emery Do? | OneFootball

Italian outlet Calciomercato have dropped a bit of a bombshell regarding Emiliano Martinez. The 33-year-old goalkeeper is currently away with Argentina preparing for World Cup duty, but his mind seems to be elsewhere. Reports from Italy claim he has quietly informed Juventus that he is willing to take a pay cut to make a move to Turin happen. Currently picking up around €9m a year at Villa Park, the stopper is ready to slash those wages just to get the deal over the line.

Aston Villa news: Emiliano Martinez closes in on Juventus switch

It is a massive development. Juventus are now planning to touch base with Aston Villa officials in the coming days to turn this into something concrete. Martinez’s camp isn’t hiding it, either; they have made his desire for the switch completely obvious. Turning 34 in September, the Argentine views a Serie A adventure as the final major chapter of his career.

Personal terms are practically sorted, but the Italian giants still need Unai Emery to play ball. Juve want him on the cheap, ideally for next to nothing. Villa, however, value their number one at €12m. With three years left on his current contract, there is absolutely no reason for the Midlands club to get bullied at the negotiating table.

Aston Villa’s decision looms large

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa celebrates with the fans after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

He has now reportedly shaken hands on a three-year deal worth roughly €5.5m a year. That is a massive drop from his current packet. He is fresh off lifting the Europa League in Istanbul, so his stock is through the roof right now. Juventus are clearly desperate. They missed out on their other primary keeping targets, which hands Villa all the leverage. Holding out for a fee between €10m and €15m is just basic common sense, given his world-class pedigree.

Losing him without a proper backup plan would be total madness. Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin keeps getting mentioned in dispatches, but a €20m price tag feels way too steep for a club needing to balance the books and build squad depth. Villa would be far wiser targeting a younger, hungrier keeper. Someone Emery can mould, rather than splashing out another marquee fee on a finished product. Dragging this saga out all summer while the World Cup plays out will only toxicify the dressing room right when pre-season training gets underway. Aston Villa need to dictate the tempo here, pocket the cash, and move on.