Emi Martinez’s Aston Villa future has taken a huge twist after Juventus decided not to proceed with a move for the Argentina goalkeeper following talks between the clubs.
Juventus had appeared to be closing in on an agreement earlier on Sunday after submitting an improved package worth up to €10million.
That move is now off.
David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell report for The Athletic that Juventus will not continue negotiations and will instead turn their attention towards alternative goalkeeper targets.
It represents a dramatic reversal only hours after Aston Villa received a fresh €10m package for Martinez.
Emi Martinez Aston Villa exit thrown into doubt
Juventus had offered €7m guaranteed plus another €3m in add-ons, while Villa were asking for €10m as a fixed fee.
Personal terms were not expected to present a problem, leaving the structure of the transfer as the main obstacle.
The situation appeared to be moving towards a potential compromise.
Instead, Juventus have walked away.
The Italian club will now pursue other goalkeeper options, leaving Martinez’s immediate future unresolved despite Villa making a major move of their own in the position.
Villa have agreed a deal to sign Zion Suzuki from Parma, with the Japan international expected to sign a five-year contract through to 2031.
The Athletic reports that Villa view Suzuki as their first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026/27 season and that his arrival will go ahead regardless of what happens with Martinez.
That creates a fascinating situation for Unai Emery.
Zion Suzuki deal leaves Villa with major Martinez decision
Martinez has been Villa’s established No.1 since joining from Arsenal in September 2020.
The 33-year-old has made 256 appearances for the club and remained an important figure last season, playing 44 times as Villa finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League.
He also started every game for Argentina during their run to the World Cup final this summer.
Yet Villa have now committed significant money to Suzuki.
ReadAstonVilla has already analysed why Villa are betting heavily on Suzuki as Martinez’s potential successor, with the younger goalkeeper offering a long-term solution to one of Emery’s most important positions.
Juventus appeared to offer Martinez his most obvious route away from Villa Park.
That route has suddenly disappeared.
Suzuki is still coming, Martinez remains under contract until 2029 and Villa could now enter the final weeks of the window with two goalkeepers expecting significant roles.
The Juventus saga may be over.
Villa’s goalkeeper story certainly is not.
