Emiliano Martinez Juventus transfer closer as Aston Villa gap narrows

Juventus have reportedly submitted an offer for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the gap between the two clubs' valuations now narrowing.

According to David Ornstein, Juventus are prepared to pay €10million, structured as €7m guaranteed plus €3m in add-ons, for the 33-year-old.

Villa want €10m as a guaranteed fee, meaning the clubs remain apart on the structure rather than the overall potential value of the transfer. Personal terms between Martinez and Juventus are not expected to present a problem.

The development comes just a day after Villa's interest in Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki emerged.

Martinez had informed Aston Villa before the World Cup that he wanted to join Juventus, but the Midlands club subsequently maintained publicly that they expected him to stay.

Director of football Damian Vidagany described the Argentina international as an important part of Villa's plans and dismissed previous reports of a Juventus departure.

The situation has now developed with Juventus making a concrete proposal.

Their €7m plus €3m offer is approaching Villa's demands, although an agreement has not yet been reached.

Martinez remains under contract until 2029 after signing a five-year deal in 2024. He has made more than 250 appearances since joining Villa in 2020.

The timing is particularly significant because Villa are already working on another goalkeeper.

FootballPlace reported on 15 August that Aston Villa are in negotiations with Parma for Zion Suzuki after his proposed £29m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed.

PSG had reached an agreement with Parma before withdrawing from the deal, creating an opportunity for Villa to pursue the Japan international.

Villa's interest in Suzuki now carries additional significance alongside Juventus' concrete attempt to sign Martinez.

It does not confirm that Martinez will leave, but securing Suzuki would provide Villa with another major goalkeeping option should negotiations with Juventus eventually produce an agreement.

Juventus must now decide whether to increase the guaranteed portion of their offer to meet Villa's €10m valuation.

Villa's negotiations for Suzuki will also be worth monitoring closely. With the gap over Martinez narrowing and personal terms not considered an obstacle, developments involving either goalkeeper could quickly influence the other deal.