£21.5m ace who’s ‘caught eye of other clubs’ could leave Villa Park

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has “caught the eye” of numerous clubs, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

It was recently reported that the Argentina No.1’s Villans future was in doubt following the appoint of manager Unai Emery, however Jones claims any potential departure from Villa Park will be a consequence of demand from other clubs rather than any rift between himself and the dugout.

Aston Villa transfer news – Emi Martinez

Football Insider reported last month that Martinez’s long-term future in the Midlands had been thrown into doubt by the appointment of Emery.

Martinez previously worked under the Spaniard at Arsenal but only ever made eight first-team appearances and it has been suggested that there was a falling out between the two during their time together at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Jones recently refuted those claims. Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones stated: “I’m told that there’s not a problem that anybody needs to worry about in this moment.”

Nonetheless, it has been reported in the Spanish press that Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the 6 foot 5 shot stopper, and Jones has admitted to GiveMeSport that a move to a major club is still a possibility.

What has Dean Jones said about Emi Martinez’s Aston Villa future?

Speaking to GMS, Jones claimed that if Martinez were to leave Villa Park in the near future, it would be due to the fact he’s attracted interest from other clubs – not because of his relationship with Emery.

Jones told GiveMeSport: “[Not having a rift with Emery] doesn’t mean there’s no chance of a transfer out of Aston Villa. But I say that not because of any conflict with the manager, I say that because he’s performing at such a high level that he’s caught the eye of a lot of clubs that might be in the market going forward.”

Emi Martinez’s 2022 World Cup

Intentional or not, the World Cup always serves as a shop window for players to demonstrate their talent to a global audience, and that rings especially true for someone like Martinez.

While his domestic form speaks for itself – as per Transfermarkt, Martinez has kept 30 clean sheets in 91 games for Aston Villa – the club have never qualified for European football during his time there.

The World Cup gives Martinez the opportunity to show his qualities against a different calibre of opposition in unique, high-pressure circumstances.

That might just convince an interested party to put some money on the table come the January window.

Martinez has only conceded two goals so far at the World Cup in Qatar, also keeping two clean sheets, with Argentina now through to the quarter-finals.

They’ll face the Netherlands on Friday night.

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