BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 16: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa is seen looking emotional after the … More
As Aston Villa’s players walked around the pitch at full time of their final home match of the season, Emi Martinez looked particularly emotional. The Argentinean goalkeeper was teary, suggesting there might be some legitimacy to the speculation linking him with a summer switch to Saudi Arabia. Was this goodbye?
Martinez has been a key part of the Aston Villa team for five seasons. He has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League during that time and has become one of the biggest characters in the Villa Park dressing room. Unai Emery has relied on Martinez in the biggest moments for some game-defining saves.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledges the fans during a lap of appreciation after the final … More
“We will see,” said Emery when asked about the emotional reaction of Martinez after the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur and whether that meant the goalkeeper had played his final match at Villa Park. “Of course, it is the last match here [this season]
, and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”
The summer departure of Martinez would give Aston Villa a problem to solve in the transfer window. Goalkeepers at the level of the World Cup winner aren’t easy to find and those who are at a similar level cost a lot. Villa has Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns to keep in mind and so its summer business could be restricted.
Villa already has to consider the future of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford, both of whom will return to their respective parent clubs at the end of the season. Aston Villa reportedly has an option to make Rashford’s loan move from Manchester United permanent, but would that money be better spent on a new goalkeeper if Martinez is leaving?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa controls the ball whilst under … More
Champions League qualification will also be a big factor in what Villa can spend this summer. Friday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur kept Emery’s team in contention for a top five spot, but Manchester City still has a game in-hand. Aston Villa could be squeezed out such is the level of competition near the top of the Premier League table.
One of Villa’s greatest successes in recent seasons has been its ability to renew and improve season-on-season. It has lost key players before and still managed to stay competitive at the top level of English and European soccer. The loss of Martinez, however, would be its biggest transfer market challenge to date. He could be irreplaceable.