Aston Villa have publicly ruled out selling Emiliano Martinez this summer, bringing some much-needed clarity to the goalkeeper’s future after sustained interest from Juventus.
Director of football operations Damian Vidagany delivered a direct response when asked about the Argentina international.
“Martinez will stay with us, we have no intention of letting him leave this summer,” Vidagany told 365Scores.
“The team needs his dedication and extensive experience. He is a very important element in our project for next season.”
The interview was subsequently relayed by Fabrizio Romano, with Villa’s position now difficult to misinterpret. Martinez is not being prepared for sale and Juventus have not been invited to continue negotiating.
The timing also carries significance.
Villa have already lost Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and could sanction further departures before the transfer window closes. Keeping Martinez protects one of the most important positions in Unai Emery’s team while other areas are being reshaped.
What Did Aston Villa Say About Martinez?
Vidagany’s comments represent Villa’s clearest intervention since reports linking Martinez with Juventus first emerged.
The club had previously dismissed suggestions that the goalkeeper could be available for approximately €6million. Reports later placed Juventus’ possible valuation closer to €10m, but neither figure came close to reflecting Martinez’s importance at Villa Park.
ReadAstonVilla recently covered how Villa regarded the lower figures surrounding Martinez as unrealistic.
Vidagany has now moved the conversation beyond price.
Rather than demanding a larger offer or suggesting every player has a value, he stated that Villa have no intention of selling. That removes any suggestion that the comments were simply an attempt to strengthen the club’s negotiating position.
Juventus could theoretically return with a substantially improved offer. However, Villa are not operating under contractual pressure.
Martinez signed a new agreement in August 2024 which runs until 2029. Villa’s official contract announcement confirmed his long-term commitment and gives the club control over his future for another three seasons.
A player under such a contract does not need to be sold for a modest fee, regardless of age or interest from elsewhere.
Why Were Juventus Interested In Martinez?
Juventus’ interest was understandable from a football perspective.
Martinez is an experienced goalkeeper with a record of performing in high-pressure matches. His distribution, penalty-saving ability and command of the penalty area would strengthen most leading European sides.
The 33-year-old has also won the World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina. His reputation has grown further during his time at Villa, where he has developed into one of Emery’s senior leaders.
Juventus were reportedly searching for an experienced goalkeeper capable of making an immediate impact. Martinez fitted that profile, while his age may have encouraged the Italian club to believe a relatively low-cost deal was possible.
Villa never shared that assessment.
ReadAstonVilla reported on 8 July that Juventus had contacted Martinez’s representatives but remained short of Villa’s valuation.
Any discussions on the player’s side could not progress without an agreement between the clubs. Vidagany’s intervention suggests Villa had no interest in allowing the situation to develop into a prolonged transfer saga.
The goalkeeper’s own public behaviour has also offered little evidence of agitation for a move. Martinez has remained focused on Argentina’s World Cup campaign and has not publicly asked to leave.
He is currently preparing for Argentina’s semi-final against England. FIFA’s official match page confirms the sides will meet in Atlanta on Wednesday, 15 July.
Why Keeping Martinez Is Important For Emery
Martinez’s value to Villa extends beyond individual saves.
Emery expects his goalkeeper to participate in possession, play accurately through pressure and provide authority behind a high defensive line. Martinez has spent several years learning those demands.
Replacing him would require Villa to find a goalkeeper with similar technical qualities and the confidence to accept the risks within Emery’s structure.
Such players are rarely available cheaply.
A new goalkeeper would also need time to build relationships with Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings and Villa’s full-backs. Keeping Martinez preserves continuity in a department where understanding and communication are essential.
His influence in the dressing room offers another reason to retain him.
Vidagany specifically referred to Martinez’s experience and dedication. Villa are losing established figures during a busy summer, with Tielemans completing his move to Manchester United and other futures unresolved.
ReadAstonVilla has examined how Tielemans’ departure leaves Emery with a major midfield decision.
Removing Martinez during the same window would leave Villa trying to replace two of their most influential and experienced players at once.
There is also a difference between planning for the future and weakening the present.
Villa can identify younger goalkeepers and prepare for Martinez’s eventual succession without selling him immediately. A prospect could develop alongside the Argentine or gain experience elsewhere before competing for the first-team role.
What Happens To Villa’s Goalkeeper Plans?
Villa have been linked with young goalkeepers during the summer, including Lens prospect Robin Risser.
Those reports suggested the club were preparing for several possible outcomes rather than confirming Martinez would leave.
ReadAstonVilla previously covered how Risser had emerged as a possible long-term succession option.
Vidagany’s statement changes the immediate context.
A younger goalkeeper could still arrive, but any move would now appear to be based on development and depth rather than replacing Martinez as first choice.
Marco Bizot remains among Villa’s senior options after making 14 appearances across all competitions last season. Martinez staying gives Emery an established starter while allowing the club to approach succession planning without urgency.
Villa confirmed Martinez’s selection for Argentina’s World Cup squad in May, describing another strong individual campaign for the goalkeeper. The club’s international announcement also reinforced his continued status as a major player for both club and country.
The next practical step will be managing his return after the tournament.
Martinez will require a period of rest following Argentina’s run before rejoining Emery’s pre-season group. His availability for Villa’s opening fixtures may depend on how far Argentina progress and how quickly he recovers.
How Does The Decision Affect Villa’s Transfer Window?
Keeping Martinez allows Villa to focus their resources elsewhere.
Tielemans’ departure has created a clear requirement in central midfield. Amadou Onana’s injury has increased the need for another player capable of protecting the defence and progressing possession.
Villa have since been linked with Joao Palhinha. ReadAstonVilla reported that the Bayern Munich midfielder is being considered following Tielemans’ exit.
Emery may also require attacking additions after the departures of Donyell Malen, Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho.
Finding another goalkeeper of Martinez’s level would have added a difficult and expensive task to an already demanding summer.
Villa can now plan with greater certainty.
Martinez remains the first-choice goalkeeper. Bizot provides senior cover, while the club can continue assessing younger options for the longer term.
Juventus will need to explore alternatives unless Villa’s stance changes dramatically. Nothing in Vidagany’s comments suggests such a shift is expected.
Has The Juventus Story Been Completely Closed?
Transfer situations can change quickly, particularly when significant offers arrive late in a window.
A public statement does not make a future deal impossible. It does, however, set a clear standard.
Juventus would need to convince Villa to reverse a firm sporting decision. A small increase on the reported €10m figure would not achieve that.
The Italian club would also need to satisfy Martinez and account for the value of his contract through 2029.
Villa have removed the uncertainty which allowed the story to continue. Their position is no longer based only on rejecting a particular fee.
They want Martinez to stay.
The goalkeeper has not publicly contradicted the club, and there is no confirmed transfer request. Unless either situation changes, Villa supporters can expect him to remain at Villa Park next season.
Emiliano Martinez To Juventus: Key Facts
Is Emiliano Martinez leaving Aston Villa?
Villa have publicly stated that they have no intention of selling him this summer.
Who confirmed Villa’s position?
Director of football operations Damian Vidagany confirmed the decision during an interview with 365Scores.
How long is Martinez under contract?
His Aston Villa contract runs until June 2029.
Did Juventus submit an accepted offer?
No accepted bid has been reported. The figures linked with Juventus remained well below the level Villa considered acceptable.
Has Martinez asked to leave?
There is no public confirmation that Martinez has submitted a transfer request or attempted to force an exit.
What happens next?
Martinez will complete Argentina’s World Cup campaign before returning to Villa for rest and pre-season preparations.
