Emiliano Martinez is 'on good money at Aston Villa' as truth about summer transfer explained
Emiliano Martinez and his camp were behind rumours linking him with a move away from Aston Villa last summer.
That is the opinion of experienced former senior Villa scout Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Argentina international appeared to wave goodbye to the home fans at Villa Park, and had attempted to push through a move to Manchester United.
Martinez, who is under contract at Villa until 2029, ultimately stayed, but has been once again rumoured to be leaving this summer amid links to Juventus.
The 33-year-old remains a key player for the Villans and was a prominent part of the campaign that saw Unai Emery's team win the Europa League.
Should he leave, Villa have been linked with the likes of Manchester City outcast James Trafford and World Cup star Zion Suzuki.
Bryan King sends Emi Martinez message
Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020, signing in a deal worth around £17million.
The goalkeeper had spent years on the sidelines at the Emirates Stadium, finally getting his chance when Bernd Leno went down with a freak injury.
After several impressive displays, Martinez opted against competing with the German goalkeeper and instead sought a move away.
Villa presented an ideal opportunity, and the Argentine has been a key man ever since. There is a feeling, however, that he hopes to spend the final years of his career elsewhere.
"It was hinted and it was obviously aired by his agent from what I hear," King told Football Insider, when asked about last summer's rumours.
"For some reason, he didn't perform as well last season. And I think that was created by his own spouting in the newspapers about he wants to leave, he wants to do this and do that.
"Now the club's in the Champions League again. They won a trophy last season. He's doing well with the international team in the World Cup.
"They've [Juventus] got a lot of rebuilding to do. They're certainly not the Juventus of old. And he's on good money at Villa. He's on a good contract at Villa.
"So if I was him, I'd be looking to get my form back that I had two years ago. Because last season, he was alright, but he wasn't consistent."
What has Martinez said about his future?
Martinez will want to focus on the World Cup with Argentina before any serious talks about his future take place.
Speaking earlier this year, he said: "Sometimes football can change; managers can come in and go. In football people move around the place."
"It doesn't mean that I don't have full respect for the club. I have a commitment with Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa. I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club.
"We have a top coach, a top captain and a decent core of the team. When we stick together and when we fight together, I think that we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay - I made the right choice."
Yet Martinez's intentions this summer remain unclear. The coming weeks will tell whether the goalkeeper is willing to stay for another year.