Juventus step up pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez

Juventus have improved their offer for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the two clubs edging closer to an agreement over a potential summer transfer.

According to the British newspaper The Athletic, Aston Villa have received a fresh proposal from the Italian club for the Argentina international. The latest offer has reduced the difference between the clubs’ respective valuations of the 33-year-old goalkeeper.

Juventus are prepared to commit up to €10m for Martinez. Their proposal consists of an initial €7m payment, with a further €3m available through performance-related bonuses linked to the team’s success.

That package remains below Aston Villa’s current demand for €10m guaranteed. However, negotiations are continuing and the two sides are understood to be moving towards a compromise over the structure and value of the deal.

Personal terms are not expected to present a problem. Martinez, who plays for Argentina, is believed to be open to the move should the clubs reach an agreement.

The transfer talks come as uncertainty over Martinez’s future at Aston Villa continues for a second successive summer. The Athletic reported on Saturday that the goalkeeper was negotiating a possible departure, while Aston Villa have stepped up their efforts to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Martinez joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and has since become an important figure for both club and country. He remains under contract at Villa Park until 2029 after signing a new deal in August 2024.

Manchester United also held discussions about signing him last summer. They made an offer to take him on loan during the final stages of the transfer window, but Aston Villa rejected the proposal.

The Argentina goalkeeper made 44 appearances in all competitions last season. His performances helped Aston Villa finish fourth in the Premier League and win the Europa League, according to the source article.

A move to Juventus would represent a significant change for Martinez, while the latest offer indicates that the Italian club are continuing to pursue the deal rather than abandoning their interest. The proposed payment structure, combining an initial fee with additional bonuses, is now the main point under discussion as negotiations progress.

Aston Villa’s pursuit of Suzuki provides further context to the situation. The English club’s intensified interest in the Parma goalkeeper suggests they are considering their options in goal, although Martinez remains contracted to the club for another three years beyond the current transfer window.

For now, Juventus have not met Aston Villa’s full guaranteed valuation. But with personal terms presenting no obstacle and the difference between the clubs narrowing, the negotiations appear to be entering a more advanced stage.