Juventus Walk Away From Emiliano Martinez After Villa Hold Firm on Fee
Juventus have officially abandoned their pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after transfer talks collapsed over Villa's asking price, according to Fabrizio Romano (Goal.com).
The Italian club submitted a fresh offer for the Argentine World Cup winner on 16 August, reportedly worth around €7 million (£8.5m was an earlier reported figure from UK sources), while Villa were demanding €10 million (Gazzetta dello Sport). Martinez had reportedly agreed personal terms with Juventus on a three-year contract, but the gap between the two clubs was never bridged (Black & White & Read All Over).
Villa's willingness to listen to offers was never about doubting Martinez's ability. The club wanted to lower the average age of their squad and address their finances after a summer of significant outgoing transfers (BBC Sport). They sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117m, with Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne also departing. Martinez, 33, joined Villa from Arsenal for £17m in 2020 and helped end the club's 30-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League.
Less than a month ago, Villa's director of football operations Damian Vidagany told 365 Scores that Martinez's future was settled and the club had no intention of letting him go. That position clearly softened as the window wore on. Villa view Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, due to turn 24, as a potential No 1 for the next decade — a vision that made parting with Martinez more palatable.
Juventus's interest sharpened after a separate move involving Suzuki and Paris Saint-Germain fell through, pushing the Turin club back toward Martinez as their top target (Yahoo Sports). Juventus considered Martinez the best goalkeeper on the market, though they always regarded the deal as difficult given his contract runs through 2029 (Gazzetta dello Sport). He earns around €7 million a year.
Martinez starred in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain and was reportedly ready to force a move to Juventus — a stance that now counts for nothing with the Italian side walking away (Gazzetta dello Sport).
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim had also wanted Martinez last summer but was overruled by United's hierarchy, who chose to spend on forwards instead — £62.5m on Matheus Cunha and £65m on Bryan Mbeumo. United ultimately signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for about £18m (BBC Sport).
The Premier League transfer window closes on 1 September, while the Saudi Arabian window remains open until 12 October and Turkey's until 4 September. Martinez is under contract at Villa Park through 2029.
