Aston Villa have received a fresh Juventus bid for Emi Martinez, with the two clubs now moving significantly closer to an agreement over the Argentina goalkeeper.
Juventus are prepared to pay a package worth up to €10million for Martinez, according to a fresh update from David Ornstein and Jacob Tanswell.
The proposal is understood to consist of €7m guaranteed plus another €3m in add-ons.
Villa want €10m as a fixed fee, leaving the structure of the deal rather than the overall valuation as the remaining obstacle.
Personal terms are not expected to cause a problem either, strengthening the prospect of Martinez finally leaving Villa Park this summer.
Aston Villa and Juventus close Emi Martinez transfer gap
The latest proposal represents important progress after weeks of disagreement between the clubs.
ReadAstonVilla previously reported that Juventus were continuing talks over Martinez, but Villa’s valuation remained a major obstacle.
Earlier approaches fell considerably short of what Villa were prepared to accept.
Juventus’ willingness to construct a €10m package now brings them much closer to Villa’s position.
The remaining difference is significant but potentially bridgeable.
Villa want the entire €10m guaranteed. Juventus currently want €3m of that figure dependent on bonuses.
With personal terms not an issue, an agreement between the clubs is increasingly becoming the decisive step.
Zion Suzuki deal changes Martinez picture
Villa’s position in goal has also changed dramatically.
The club have agreed a deal with Parma for Zion Suzuki after moving quickly when Paris Saint-Germain’s proposed transfer for the Japan international collapsed.
Suzuki has been identified as a potential long-term successor to Martinez, with ReadAstonVilla reporting earlier this summer that Villa had extensively scouted the 23-year-old.
Securing Suzuki would give Unai Emery greater freedom to sanction Martinez’s departure without entering the final weeks of the transfer window searching desperately for a replacement.
Nothing is completed yet.
Villa are still demanding more guaranteed money from Juventus and Martinez remains contracted until 2029.
But the landscape has shifted.
Juventus have moved closer to Villa’s number, Martinez is open to the transfer and his potential successor is already being lined up.
After months of uncertainty, the Emi Martinez transfer saga finally appears to be approaching its decisive stage.
