Emiliano Martinez: ‘Three teams in race to agree astronomical Aston Villa deal’
Emiliano Martinez has been a crucial player for Unai Emery this season and played a key role as Aston Villa reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
However, he is now being linked with a move away from the club as part of a major overhaul of the first-team squad at Villa Park.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia are believed to be interested in a move for the goalkeeper should he be allowed to leave Villa this summer.
Former England goalkeeper and Saudi Pro League expert Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are all in contention.
This comes after Football Insider reported Villa fans are open to Martinez’s exit following a string of inconsistent displays in recent weeks.
Despite this, it would take an “astronomical” fee to prise the goalkeeper away from Villa Park this summer, while he is believed to be unsure about the move to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Pro League sides race to sign Aston Villa star Emi Martinez
Football Insider revealed on 2 May that Aston Villa could sell big-name players as part of a mass overhaul as they aim to raise funds before spending this summer.
There is a growing feeling that it will be a busy summer at Villa Park, with big names to be “sacrificed” to help balance the books and bring in new talent.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Robinson explained that Martinez is unlikely to be one of those out of the door as a result of his impact on and off the pitch, despite interest from Saudi clubs.
“They’ll struggle to get him out of Aston Villa,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been such an integral part of what they do and the type of character he is in the dressing room, they’ll be big boots to fill if he leaves.
“In the Saudi Pro League, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Ahli are the teams he could potentially go to.
“Goalkeepers haven’t been high on the list of their top signings, but the quality needs improving.
“The three biggest teams, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr could do with strengthening, they’re the three potential landing spots for Emi Martinez.
“But I think it’s too big of a deal to get him out of Aston Villa.
“Where he is in his career, the challenges he wants and Champions League football he wants I don’t think the Saudi Pro League can offer him at the moment.
“I think Aston Villa will demand an astronomical price and there are other areas teams in the Saudi Pro League will look to strengthen rather than in goal.”
Aside from Martinez, one Villa star who has been linked with an exit as part of their potential summer overhaul is Ollie Watkins.
Football Insider revealed on18 April that Liverpool are monitoring Watkins’ situation at Aston Villa as they plot an alternative striker signing to Alexander Isak.
Speculation over the 29-year-old’s future has grown after he made his feelings clear about being benched in favour of Marcus Rashford for the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 21 April that Aston Villa will entertain Watkins’ sale should they receive offers of £50-60million.
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