Aston Villa prepare for Emiliano Martinez exit as new offer 'will be accepted'

Aston Villa have opened the door for Emiliano Martinez to move on this summer and are prepared to accept a new offer for him.

The 33-year-old has long been interested in a move away from Villa Park, and now looks set to get his wish, despite being scheduled to return to pre-season training soon.

Juventus have shown the strongest interest, with manager Luciano Spalletti speaking out pubicly about the move, and the Serie A giants now appear to be his most likely destination.

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Unai Emery is now prepared to let Martinez go and an offer could be accepted at a discounted price.

All parties are keen for him to move on as they aim to avoid any drama late in the window, while Villa will also need to land a replacement and give themselves time to do so.

Despite suggestions that losing their goalkeeper could be a major blow, having already lost important players this summer, Aston Villa are ready to agree a deal.

Will Emiliano Martinez leave Aston Villa this summer?

Brown told Football Insider on 28 July that Martinez is closing in on his next club, despite it being a surprise that he is still so eager to leave Aston Villa in the near future.

The goalkeeper's agent has spoken to a number of clubs this summer, with interest lingering from elsewhere despite Juventus' public declaration of their plans.

Aston Villa are now prepared to sanction his departure and accelerate plans to sign a new goalkeeper, having admitted defeat in their plans to keep hold of him.

"Martinez has been pretty clear about it since last summer," Brown told Football Insider.

"Hr wants to leave Aston Villa and move to a top European club, and it looks like he's going to get his wish, because the club are now ready to let him move on.

"In an ideal world, of course they would have liked to keep him, because it's going to be a big blow to lose their first-choice goalkeeper and someone with his influence.

"But they won't want to keep him around when he's clearly looking to leave, so it makes sense that if a new offer comes in, I expect it will be accepted.

"I don't think they'll get a massive fee for him at this point, but whatever they do get in will be spent on finding a new goalkeeper.

"It hasn't come as a surprise, he wanted to leave last summer so they're well-prepared for it, and they'll have a number of replacements in mind already.

"They're ready to let Martinez go and then move for a replacement, and they'll ideally want it done before the season starts."

Who are Aston Villa targeting to replace Martinez?

In their efforts to replace Martinez, Aston Villa have been keeping a close eye on a number of potential signings, with options from across Europe on their radar.

James Trafford had been considered by Emery's side before his imminent move to Leeds United, while they are long-term admirers of other key targets.

Football Insider revealed last month that Aston Villa are interested in signing Zion Suzuki after his performanes at the World Cup, and could make a move after Martinez is sold.

However, they are far from alone in the race to sign the Parma shot-stopper, with Paris Saint-Germain now making moves to lure him to Ligue 1 this summer.

Should he complete a move to the Parc des Princes, Villa will once again be forced to consider other options, with work ongoing behind the scenes.