Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Emiliano Martinez might finally be on his way out of Villa Park this summer. According to Brown, the Argentine goalkeeper’s agent is already talking to several clubs to find him a new home. Brown noted that Villa has been under heavy financial pressure for a few seasons now, and staying within Premier League and UEFA spending rules will be a major factor in the next window. He mentioned that Martinez has wanted to leave for a while; a move looked certain last summer, but nothing ended up happening. Now, with his agent actively pitching him to European giants, Villa may decide to sell if the right offer comes in.
The 33-year-old has been a massive figure for Villa since arriving from Arsenal in 2020. He was also the hero of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win, making that famous last-second save against Randal Kolo Muani. This season, Martinez has played 31 games and kept seven clean sheets. Reports suggest Juventus are now leading Inter Milan in the race to sign him, as both Italian clubs look for a new number one this summer.
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“It’s been difficult for Villa over the last two or three seasons,” Brown told Football Insider.
“They’ve had limitations over their spending because of the financial rules and all of that, and it looks like it’s going to be the same again in the summer.
“Martinez has been looking for a way out of Villa for a while. It looked almost certain he would leave last summer, but obviously it didn’t happen.
“I think he’s a top-quality goalkeeper, but there is clearly some sort of issue there, whether he just fancies a change of surroundings or whatever it is.
“His agent has been the one leading it all, as far as I’m aware, and he’s been speaking to clubs about whether they would be interested in him.
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“So maybe this summer is the one where he could finally leave. Villa might let him go to raise a bit of money if the price is right and he’s still looking at his options.”
Do Aston Villa Actually Need Martinez Next Season?
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Lille OSC at Villa Park on March 19, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
This is the real heart of the debate. We all know what Martinez brings. He is incredible at saving penalties, commands his box, and uses his mind games to give Villa a mental advantage and confidence in goal. Those are rare traits. However, his flaws are becoming harder to ignore. He has made several expensive mistakes during the 2024-25 season, and at 33, he is starting to lose some of that top-tier physical sharpness.
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As the club’s top earner, his massive wages are a problem for a team that need to trim their bill. Right now, Unai Emery’s squad are in a tough spot, trying to secure Champions League football and win the Europa League while sticking to strict budgets. Keeping an older, unsettled keeper on a record salary just for the sake of nostalgia is bad business.
So, I feel Villa don’t need Martinez anymore. They need the transfer fee that he would bring in more than they need him on the pitch. Replacing the Argentine with someone like Diogo Costa or a younger, cheaper talent like James Trafford is a better long-term move. If an offer of £35-40 million arrives, Aston Villa should take it, reinvest, and move on. All signs point to a summer exit, and a move to Juventus seems like the perfect final stage for a player with his personality.
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