Unai Emery isn’t a man to be caught cold. While Aston Villa fans are still basking in the glow of last month’s historic Europa League triumph, the manager is already planning for a seismic shift between the sticks. Reports from Madrid-based outlet AS suggest the club have renewed their pursuit of Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro.
Emery prepares for life after Emi Martínez as Aston Villa target La Liga stopper
Why the sudden movement? Look to Italy. Juventus are pushing hard for Emiliano Martínez. The Argentine World Cup winner is coveted in Turin, forcing Villa’s hierarchy to move swiftly. They need a top-tier replacement. This isn’t a new obsession, though. Villa earmarked the Basque keeper last summer during an earlier bout of anxiety over Martínez’s future. That deal stalled when the South American chose to stay at Villa Park. Now, Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo reports that several unnamed clubs have joined the hunt alongside the Birmingham outfit.
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The 31-year-old hasn’t had it easy in San Sebastián this term. Far from it. He has shipped 62 goals in 39 matches, keeping just four clean sheets. Despite the ugly statistics, Emery remains a massive fan of his compatriot. Real Sociedad are ready to sell, too. They want a reasonable fee between €8m and €10m, matching Transfermarkt’s €9m valuation. Feel Winner, the agency representing the keeper, is already handling communications ahead of his contract expiry in 2027.
The tactical gamble facing the West Midlands club
GIRONA, SPAIN – MAY 14: Alex Remiro of Real Sociedad looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Real Sociedad at Montilivi Stadium on May 14, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Losing Martínez is a massive punt. No two ways about it. The penalty-saving specialist brings a certain aura to B6, a dressing-room leadership that money simply cannot buy. Dropping an unproven Premier League keeper into his boots is incredibly risky. Remiro lacks the aerial dominance of the Argentine, and those 62 goals conceded this season will definitely raise eyebrows in the Holte End.
But look closer at what Emery actually wants.
His system demands a keeper who can play out from the back under ferocious pressure. Remiro does exactly that. He is incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet, popping passes into midfield effortlessly. Then there is the financial side of the game. A cut-price deal under €10 million keeps the Premier League’s profit and sustainability watchdogs at bay. It frees up vital cash for other positions while bringing in an experienced European performer.
Fans will be hurt if their talisman heads for the exit. That is football. But the manager knows the Spanish market inside out, and backing his recruitment usually works out.
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