Aston Villa are actively stepping up their backroom contingency planning in the goalkeeper department. The club is preparing an opening offer to test Lens’ resolve over rising star Robin Risser.
According to a report from OneFootball, relaying updates from L’Équipe, Villa chiefs are structuring a proposal to gauge the French club’s financial valuation of the 21-year-old. Lens are not expected to welcome a sale easily, setting up an intriguing summer negotiation.
The unexpected move coincides with intense speculation regarding the future of current number one Emiliano Martínez. The legendary Argentine shot-stopper is heavily tipped to join Italian powerhouse Juventus after his 2026 World Cup campaign draws to a close.
Widening the Net for Elite Prospects
This is the second major sign in recent days that Monchi and Unai Emery are aggressively expanding their goalkeeper shortlist. We covered a similar move just yesterday in our analysis of Villa’s Guillaume Restes transfer contact.
While Toulouse’s Restes remains firmly on the radar, the Risser angle carries a different kind of strategic weight. Villa are not simply hunting for a cheap, unproven backup to sit on the bench. Instead, they are tracking a premium number-one profile with high resale growth and top-flight European pedigree.
Preparing for Life After El Dibu
Martínez remains the undisputed heartbeat of Emery’s dressing room, and the club’s absolute preference would be to keep the fan favourite at Villa Park. However, elite recruitment departments cannot afford to be caught flat-footed if a world-class asset decides to take on a fresh challenge in Serie A.
Risser fits the modern tactical profile perfectly. He is highly praised in France for his commanding box presence, lightning-fast reflexes, and comfort when playing out from the back under an intense press.
Villa’s Goalkeeper Succession Targets
| Target Player | Current Club | Age | Core Attribute |
| Robin Risser | RC Lens | 21 | Imposing aerial dominance & elite reflexes |
| Guillaume Restes | Toulouse | 21 | Exceptional line-sweeping & shot-stopping |
If the market around Martínez accelerates over the coming weeks, Villa have already ensured they have high-upside answers ready to deploy on the training pitch.
To stay on top of every breaking update as the transfer window begins to gather serious speed, head over to our main Aston Villa transfer news page. The hunt for future stability is officially underway.
