Emiliano Martinez 'close' to joining new club after 'surprise' Aston Villa twist

Emiliano Martinez is expected to finally agree a move away from Aston Villa this summer as his agent has held talks with Juventus.

The 33-year-old has long been eyeing a move away from Villa Park and looks set to get his wish although his continued desperation to move on has come as a "surprise".

Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti spoke publicly about his side's pursuit of the goalkeeper, claiming they are aware that he "wants to change clubs" and are aiming to agree terms.

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Martinez's agent has been in contact with a number of interested clubs as he is still seeking a big move away.

Juventus are now the front-runners, although there is lingering interest from elsewhere, with a move to Serie A currently seen as most likely for the World Cup winner.

Unai Emery had been open to keeping Martinez at Villa Park this summer following their Champions League qualification, but he has once again made clear his desire to leave.

Will Aston Villa accept Emiliano Martinez offer?

Brown told Football Insider last month that Aston Villa are ready to let Martinez move on after he expressed his desire to find a new club in the summer transfer window.

Having come close to leaving last summer, all parties are now prepared to head in different directions, with the player's agent working hard to land a deal.

After Spalletti's comments, it appears Juventus are closing in on a deal, and Martinez looks set to finally get his move after seeking it for well over a year at this stage.

"From what I'm told, I would be surprirsed if Martinez stayed at Aston Villa," Brown told Football Insider.

"It looks like he's getting closer to that move he's wanted, especially when you've got the Juventus manager coming out and speaking publicly about it.

"To be honest, it is a bit of a surprise that he's been so desperate to leave Aston Villa after everything he's achieved there and everything they've helped him to achieve.

"Emery would have been open to keeping him around if he was willing to stay, and they thought he might be after getting into the Champions League.

"But he's been pretty clear about it since last summer, he wants to leave Aston Villa and move to a top European club, so it looks like he's going to get his wish."

Why does Martinez want to leave Aston Villa?

Martinez has been clear with Aston Villa since last summer that he would like to move on, amid growing interest from a number of Europe's biggest clubs.

Last summer, he was expected to join Man United before they pulled out of their pursuit, and Emery promised that if he stayed for another year, he would be allowed to leave.

Football Insider reported last month that Emery is set to keep his promise and allow Martinez to move on, despite having hoped the goalkeeper might make a U-turn on his plan.

The World Cup winner made 44 appearances in all competitions last season and kept 14 clean sheets as they finished fourth in the Premier League.

However, he is now ready to move on, and his agent has already been in talks with Juventus to push through a move as long as a fee can be agreed with Villa.