Aston Villa ready to approve late-window Emiliano Martinez transfer
Aston Villa could allow Emiliano Martinez to leave during the January transfer window amid ongoing concerns about profit and sustainability restrictions.
Unai Emery‘s side are expected to be forced before they can buy this month and have already sanctioned the £25million sale of Donyell Malen to Roma.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, the opportunity to make a significant profit on Martinez could be tough to turn down.
Inter Milan are being heavily linked with a move for the 33-year-old this month and may now be given confidence that they can reach an agreement.
This comes after former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Aston Villa are open to selling Martinez amid concerns about recent performances.
Aston Villa could accept new Emiliano Martinez offer
Football Insider revealed in November that Aston Villa would consider offers for Martinez, with the recruitment team exploring long-term replacements.
Inter Milan’s emerging interest, alongside that of long-term admirers Man United, could convince Villa to let him go sooner rather than later.
Any sale is expected to be dictated by their PSR situation, with a significant profit likely to be made on the £17million spent to sign him from Arsenal in 2020.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “We thought he was going to leave in the summer window, we had those scenes in the last game of the season at Villa Park.
“He was waving to the crowd and in tears, and we expected that would be the last time we would see Martinez in an Aston Villa shirt.
“Obviously a move didn’t materialise in the summer window, but he’s one of the top goalkeepers in the world and its no surprise clubs are looking at him.
“We know that Inter Milan are probably going to be in the market for a new goalkeeper come next summer because Yan Sommer is out of contract and Martinez would tick a lot of boxes for them.
“It won’t be an easy deal to do due to probably the fee Villa would look for him would be pretty high.
“For Villa, obviously, we know their financial situation with PSR maybe a strategic sale could be something that would be of interest to them if they could make a big profit.
“So look, he’s been the subject of speculation for the last couple of transfer windows and it looks like his future will be the same in this upcoming summer transfer window as well.
“There’s no doubts Martinez is a player that a lot of clubs would love to sign.”
Man United backed to join race for Martinez
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was widely expected to leave Villa Park during the summer, with Man United among the leading contenders for his signature.
Brown told Football Insider on 23 January that Man United could reignite their interest in Martinez if they are made aware of his availability.
United are happy with the progress made by Senne Lammens but would jump at the chance to sign “one of the best in the world” in Martinez.
Brown told Football Insider following the summer transfer window that Martinez was “disappointed” not to join Man United and had been keen on the move.
There is a feeling that may still be the case, with United keeping a close eye on his situation both now and in preparation for next summer’s window.
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