Juventus make Emi Martinez top target with De Gea as backup

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The Football Faithful

·20 luglio 2026

Juventus make Emi Martinez top target with De Gea as backup

Juventus have shortlisted Emiliano Martinez as their number one goalkeeping target this summer, with David de Gea lined up as the alternative.

The Serie A club are prioritising an experienced, authoritative presence between the posts, and the Aston Villa goalkeeper fits that profile. Calciomercato reports that talks with Villa are set to intensify.

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Martinez is keen on the move, too. The Argentina international has reportedly agreed the outline of personal terms and is pushing hard to join, having grown frustrated with Villa’s public insistence that he is not for sale. His stance has added momentum to the pursuit.

Juventus make Emi Martinez top target with De Gea as backup

The obstacle lies between the clubs. Villa hold firm on their valuation and are under no pressure to sell, leaving the two parties yet to find common ground. The deal, therefore, remains an active negotiation rather than an imminent transfer.

The World Cup winner has been a talismanic figure at Villa Park. Martinez joined from Arsenal in 2020 and has made more than 250 appearances, keeping 80 clean sheets and playing a central role in the club’s rise to the Champions League.

Should a deal prove unworkable, Juventus have a ready alternative. De Gea has been identified as a fallback option, with the Bianconeri admiring the experience, leadership and personality the Spaniard would bring to Luciano Spalletti’s squad.

His resurgence in Italy has been striking. De Gea kept 10 clean sheets in 37 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina last season, rolling back the years after a spell as a free agent following his Manchester United exit.

Securing him would not be simple, however. De Gea is under contract at Fiorentina, and the Viola would be reluctant to lose a goalkeeper who has rediscovered his best form.

Juventus are seeking an upgrade on Michele Di Gregorio, whose inconsistency has been a concern. Whether they land their first choice or turn to their backup, a new goalkeeper is a clear priority for Spalletti this summer.