Exclusive: Aston Villa plan to accept Emiliano Martinez offer
Aston Villa will accept bids for star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Unai Emery and the club’s recruitment team are exploring alternative goalkeeper options as they aim for a long-term resolution in-between the sticks.
Martinez was recently relieved of his vice-captaincy duties by Emery after coming very close to leaving Villa in the summer window.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday (16 November) that Villa are targeting Man City’s James Trafford as he continues to play second-fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Midlands giants are also exploring other goalkeeper deals as they work on bringing in a new number one.
Martinez could leave Villa in the January window
Martinez has been Aston Villa’s first-choice stopper since his arrival in 2020 and has featured 11 times in all competitions so far this season.
The World Cup winner has made 223 appearances for the club in the last five years, winning two Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards in that time.
He was heavily linked with a move away in the summer, with Football Insider revealing that Martinez was disappointed not to join Man United as they instead signed Senne Lammens.
January could present him with a chance to leave the Second City outfit, with Man United continuing to keep tabs on Martinez, according to Football Insider’s sources.
James Trafford could join Villa as Martinez’s replacement
Martinez’s potential departure opens the door for a replacement to be signed in the new year to compete with summer signing Bizot, with Trafford a known target.
Trafford re-joined Man City in the recent transfer window from Burnley with the aim to become their number one, but Donnarumma’s arrival later in the summer has severely limited his minutes so far.
He played in their first three league games of the season but has since only featured in two EFL Cup outings.
Trafford is believed to be open to a move away from City in January as a result of his lack of game-time, especially considering that his place in England’s World Cup squad could be at risk if he continues to sit on the bench all campaign.