Emi Martinez has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Juventus with Aston Villa valued the World Cup-winning goalkeeper at between £10m and £15m.
- Di Marzio reports an agreement with Martinez has “practically been reached”, the player views Juve as the “perfect choice to end his career”
- Martinez would accept a three-year Juventus deal at lower wages than his current £7m-per-season Villa salary
- Villa are not blocking the move and have already started scouting goalkeeper replacements
- Aston Villa’s fee demand of £10m-£15m is the primary outstanding obstacle to completing the deal
The personal terms breakthrough. Di Marzio’s specific claim
The Martinez situation has escalated significantly. Gianluca Di Marzio, one of Italian football’s most reliable and well-connected transfer journalists, reports that a personal agreement between the Argentine goalkeeper and Juventus has “practically been reached.” That specific framing represents a material and important step beyond the earlier reports of talks and Juve interest that ReadAstonVilla covered on June 8 [LINK].
The financial dimension of the personal terms is equally revealing. Martinez, currently earning approximately £7m per season at Villa Park, would accept a three-year Juventus contract at “slightly lower figures.” The Gazzetta dello Sport adds that a verbal understanding is already in place. These are not rumours of interest. They are the structural foundation of a completed personal deal that is now simply waiting for the two clubs to agree a transfer fee.
Martinez’s own motivation is specific and deeply personal. According to Italian sources, the 33-year-old sees Juventus as “the perfect choice to close a career already rich in trophies.” That framing, “close a career” is the most significant phrase in the entire story. It suggests a goalkeeper who views a Juventus move as his final major chapter rather than a lateral step. His parade speech insisting he had made “the right choice” to stay at Villa now reads very differently in this context.
Villa’s position. Not blocking, but not giving away
The most significant development in this update concerns Villa’s own stance. Earlier reports suggested the club would fight to retain Martinez. The current picture is considerably more nuanced. According to Gazzetta, Villa “do not consider the South American World Cup winner untouchable” and have already begun scouting potential replacements.
That specific detail of replacement scouting already underway, confirms a club preparing for a departure rather than simply managing transfer speculation. Emery is described as willing to accept the situation “for the right price” and Villa’s Premier League fee demands have been placed firmly in the £10m-£15m range.
Juventus want Martinez without paying a transfer fee arguing that his age of 33 (turning 34 in September) and his contract status justify a free or nominal transfer. Villa’s response is equally firm. A goalkeeper of Martinez’s quality and remaining contract length will not leave for nothing regardless of his age.
The replacement picture. Nicolas and Trafford both Relevant
Villa’s goalkeeper succession planning has been quietly advancing throughout the summer. Moritz Nicolas the Borussia Mönchengladbach stopper with 13 Bundesliga clean sheets and a £13m release clause has been in talks with the club. James Trafford from Manchester City remains Villa’s long-term primary target. Both options are now considerably more relevant given the emerging certainty of Martinez’s departure.
The specific pre-season fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 15 August and the previously identified link to Nicolas takes on additional significance in this context. Villa will visit Borussia-Park with their goalkeeper recruitment at an advanced stage.
The parade speech now reads differently
Martinez’s impassioned trophy parade address to Villa supporters will be remembered regardless of what happens next. “People said I was going to Manchester United, they were wrong! I made the right choice.” Those words were entirely sincere when delivered. The subsequent developments suggest a goalkeeper who stayed for one more magnificent season, won the Europa League with a broken finger and is now ready for his final major career challenge in Turin.
If that is the outcome, Villa supporters will have every right to feel a complicated mix of disappointment and gratitude. Disappointment at losing their greatest goalkeeper. Gratitude for everything he gave: 256 appearances, two Golden Gloves, one World Cup, one Europa League across six extraordinary seasons.
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
The personal agreement is reportedly done. Villa’s fee stance is clear. The gap between Juventus wanting a free transfer and Villa demanding £10m-£15m is the final obstacle. That gap will close. Martinez is leaving. The only remaining questions are the fee and the timeline. Sign Nicolas. Pursue Trafford. And give Dibu the send-off he deserves when the announcement comes.
