Argentine sources says Aston Villa have softened their stance on selling Emiliano Martinez to a Premier League rival, with Chelsea and Tottenham both in the picture.
That’s according to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, who provides a significant update on the goalkeeper’s situation.
Martinez remains at Villa despite having appeared destined for Juventus earlier in the summer. Aston Villa have since signed Zion Suzuki, leaving them with an awkward situation to resolve before the window closes.
Edul says Villa now need to sell the Argentine because they signed Suzuki believing Martinez’s departure was effectively agreed.
TyC Sports provide more detail on that ‘need’. They say Martinez is now outside Aston Villa’s planned budget. And that has apparently forced a change in their approach to Premier League interest, so they actively offered him around.
Chelsea interest is real
Edul says Chelsea and Tottenham are the two clubs currently pushing for Martinez.
“One is Tottenham and the other is Chelsea. The Chelsea interest is real,” he said. “Until now, Aston Villa’s position was that they wouldn’t sell him within the Premier League because they didn’t want to strengthen a rival.”
That’s where things have changed. With the deadline approaching and Martinez still without another club, Edul says Aston Villa are now “much more open” to allowing an English move.
“So the Chelsea situation depends on Chelsea, how much they push forward, and Tottenham are waiting,” he added.
El Gráfico go a step further than Edul and report Chelsea have now “opened negotiations” with Aston Villa for the goalkeeper.
They also say Martinez considers his successful spell at Villa to be over and is open to joining Chelsea specifically. Tottenham remain interested but, according to the local press, are currently taking a more patient approach.
Martinez himself isn’t standing in the way. As we covered earlier, Argentine press feels he lost control of his situation. Edul’s accompanying update states the goalkeeper is open to being sold.
Intrigue over failed Juventus transfer
There’s another interesting element to Edul’s update. He says Martinez’s move to Juventus had been considered a certainty, which explains why Aston Villa proceeded with Suzuki.
The journalist also promises an explanation for why that deal collapsed once the European transfer window has closed.
“As soon as the European transfer market closes, it will become known why the move to Juventus fell through,” Edul said.
“It had nothing to do with anything sporting, and Dibu’s standing with the Argentina national team will grow because of what he did for the national team.”
Edul doesn’t reveal what happened, so there’s little point guessing at this stage. What matters immediately for Aston Villa is the consequence.
Now Chelsea seemingly have the opportunity to take advantage, while Tottenham remain in the background waiting to see how the final days of the window develop.
