Enzo Fernandez responds as Emiliano Martinez packs his bags after Villa ‘farewell’
Emiliano Martinez sent a three-word message on social media after he departed Aston Villa for potentially the final time.
Villa’s Premier League campaign ended in disappointment with a controversial 2-0 loss to Manchester United on the final day, which saw them finish sixth and miss out on a place in the Champions League.
Added to a 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace in their FA Cup semi-final a month earlier, Villa‘s season came to an end with no silverware and Unai Emery‘s side being forced to settle for a Europa League spot instead.
As a result, a difficult transfer window is on the cards at Villa Park with Premier League PSR rules set to bite, and that has already seen several of Emery’s key men lined up for potential exits this summer.
Martinez ‘back home’ with Aston Villa transfer on the cards
Although Morgan Rogers has been linked with a £100million move away from Villa Park this summer, it’s Martinez who currently looks the most likely to head for pastures new as Villa battle PSR constraints.
Football Insider revealed on 22 May that Martinez had enlisted a “super agent” in order to accelerate his departure from Villa, with a big-money switch to the Saudi Pro League a likely outcome if he does leave.
Martinez joined up with his Argentina team-mates ahead of their matches against Chile and Colombia this summer, and posted on Instagram (1 June) in front of the AFA’s headquarters in Buenos Aires.
In a post liked by both Albiceleste midfielder Enzo Fernandez and his Villa team-mate Amadou Onana, Martinez said: “Back to home”.
Aston Villa exit inevitable for Emi Martinez
Football Insider Verdict
As the Lions look to balance the books despite qualifying for a third straight season of European football, Martinez could be a priority to sell due to his high wages and Villa’s “ticking time bomb” of PSR troubles.
Martinez was seen in floods of tears after Villa’s final home game of last season in an apparent farewell to fans, and that has heightened expectations that Emery’s number one could be on his way this summer.
There’s no guarantee that Martinez will leave the Premier League as Man United accelerate a move for the 32-year-old, but with the Red Devils restricted by PSR troubles of their own, it remains to be seen where he’ll end up.