Agbonlahor suggests Aston Villa to accept ‘very, very big’ Emiliano Martinez bid amid ‘release clause’ claim
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Aston Villa will only sell Emiliano Martinez if they receive a “very, very big” offer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed the club are in a good position to keep hold of Martinez as he does not have a release clause.
Sources told Football Insider earlier this week (21 December) that Man United hold a “concrete” interest in the 30-year-old who played a key role in Argentina winning the World Cup.
He still has over four years left on his contract after agreeing a new deal earlier this year (21 January).
“He signed a new contract until 2027 so he’s got nowhere to go and I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“If someone wants Emi Martinez it’s going to cost them a very, very big amount of money.
“Goalkeepers go for a lot longer, some play until they’re 40 and Martinez is 30.
“He’s got a long time to play and if any club wants him, it’s going to cost a lot of money.
“Aston Villa are blessed. They’ve got five years left on a contract with the best goalkeeper in the world so all the best trying to get him out of Aston Villa, it’s not going to happen.
“Even if he wants to play in the Champions League, the club will say to him ‘You can play Champions League with Aston Villa, you get us there’.
“He won’t be involved on Boxing Day but on 2 January he’ll be back for the Spurs game and all will be good.
“Aston Villa are in a great position and I’m sure there’s no release clause either so Aston Villa don’t need to sell.
“Goalkeepers are so hard to find as well so if you sell Martinez, who are you going to bring in? Robin Olsen has played and wasn’t great with his feet and quite poor, to be honest.”
In other news, Aston Villa have made a move to sign a forward Emery knows very well.