Aston Villa have held talks with the representatives of Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes as they prepare for the possibility of Emi Martinez leaving this summer.
The 21-year-old France youth international has emerged as a serious Villa option if Martinez moves on, with Toulouse open to a sale at around £20m.
Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic reports that Villa have spoken to Restes’ camp, while Aston Villa Roundtable has also framed him as one of the club’s main Martinez succession options.
This is not just another squad-goalkeeper search. Restes would be a long-term play.
Villa still want Martinez to stay, and that remains the best outcome for Unai Emery. But if a major offer arrives, Villa cannot afford to start the replacement search from scratch.
Restes fits the type of goalkeeper Villa would need if the hardest version of the summer arrives. He is young, already tested in Ligue 1 and comfortable enough on the ball to suit a team that asks its No.1 to play through pressure.
Read Aston Villa has previously covered how Villa added Restes to their list of possible Emi Martinez replacements. The latest talks move that interest into a more serious phase.
Restes is not the only name in the conversation. Parma’s Zion Suzuki has also been mentioned, which shows Villa are looking across different goalkeeper profiles before making a final call.
That is sensible planning, not panic.
Martinez remains the elite, proven option. Restes is the insurance policy with resale value and long-term upside.
For now, this is one to watch rather than a deal at the final stages. But Villa’s contact with the player’s camp shows the club are already preparing for a summer scenario they would rather not face.
