Just In: Emiliano Martínez Set to Leave Aston Villa as Saudi Clubs Circle – Joan García in Villa’s Sights

Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez appears to be on the verge of a summer departure, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Argentine is expected to leave the club amid interest from Saudi Pro League teams. The 32-year-old, who was visibly emotional after Villa’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in their final home game of the season on Friday night, is reportedly set to assess options from both Europe and Saudi Arabia.

Martínez, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has been a cornerstone of Aston Villa’s resurgence under manager Unai Emery since joining from Arsenal for £20m in 2020. His emotional farewell to the Villa Park crowd—clapping with teary eyes, as captured in Romano’s post—has fueled speculation that his five-year stint with the club may be coming to an end. Sources from Birmingham Live noted that Martínez’s gestures were a clear sign of a potential goodbye, with pundit Jamie Redknapp warning that replacing the Argentine will be a “massive challenge” for Villa.

Saudi Pro League clubs have been linked with Martínez since April, with CaughtOffside reporting earlier this month that Villa could demand up to £100m for their goalkeeper, who still has four years left on his contract. The Saudi interest aligns with their recent strategy of attracting high-profile talent, as seen with former Villa players Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby, who generated significant profits for the club after their moves to the Middle East. However, Romano’s update suggests Martínez is also considering offers from European clubs, making this an “open race” for his signature.

Fans on X have been quick to react to the news. @ChelseaHQ_ pleaded for Chelsea to make a move for Martínez, tweeting, “PLEASE @ChelseaFC,” while @TheUniversalFoo suggested destinations like Barcelona or Inter Miami, stating, “Man, go to Miami or Barcelona. Both the clubs need you very much.” Others, like @RealMadridEra, were less complimentary, calling Martínez “the most overrated GK in the world,” reflecting the polarizing opinions surrounding the shot-stopper.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa appears to be preparing for life after Martínez, with Romano revealing that the club is among several teams

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