For so long, Emi Martinez has been Aston Villa's safest pair of hands, but his future at the club is once again shrouded in doubt. After missing out on a move to Manchester United last summer, rumors are rife that he will leave Villa this season as he stands on the brink of European glory.
Gossip columns are full of stories about the World Cup winner, who still has three years remaining on his contract and remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world. But where does his future lie? Will he still be at Villa Park next season, or will he be wearing colors other than claret and blue?
What's the Latest?
Doubts persist over Martinez and his long-term future amid claims he could be sold this summer. The World Cup winner is one of the highest earners at Villa Park, and with the club seeking financial flexibility, there is potential for them to reduce their wage bill by offloading the 33-year-old, who still has three years left on his contract.
Continued speculation surrounds Martinez, who remains a key part of Unai Emery's team that stands on the brink of Europa League glory and a return to the Champions League. Should he help add another trophy to Villa's cabinet, there can't be much better farewell gifts if the club does decide to cash in once the transfer market opens.
The latest gossip suggests Villa are weighing up potential replacements, with RC Lens' Robin Risser and Toulouse's Guillaume Restes regarded as potential candidates. James Trafford is a name that refuses to go away, with the Manchester City goalkeeper currently playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Trafford is now of an age where he should be playing regular first-team football for the sake of his own ambitions. Out of all the names suggested as Martinez replacements, Trafford does appear to be a very safe bet, having impressed when he has stepped out of the shadows at the Etihad.
The Liverpool and Martinez Rumors
Liverpool continue to be touted as a potential destination for Martinez, although those links do seem rather odd. Alisson has another year left on his contract, although there has been fresh speculation he is keen on a move to Juventus. Liverpool activated a clause in the Brazilian's contract that extended his stay by a further year, and he is still widely considered one of the best, if not the best, goalkeepers in the world.
At 33, it does not make much sense for Liverpool to replace Alisson with a goalkeeper of the same age who will also command a substantial wage. Besides, Giorgi Mamardashvili cost Liverpool £29 million and has been earmarked as their number one. It is unlikely Liverpool will want to halt his development. If Alisson does leave, then signing a number two to Mamardashvili would cost significantly less than Martinez. That is why those rumors don't quite stack up. But stranger things have happened. Either way, Martinez, given his pedigree, will not be short of offers.
What Happened Last Year
The fact that Villa have squeezed another year out of Martinez did not look on the cards last season when the Argentine appeared to wave goodbye. Tears stained his cheeks, and everybody assumed this was his big farewell. Links to Manchester United dominated the back pages, leaving everybody to presume it was just a matter of when, not if, he would be heading to Old Trafford.
On deadline day in September, it seemed as though the wheels were turning. Martinez was open to the move, and he rapidly became one of the stories of the day. But the call he was perhaps waiting for never came. United opted to sign Senne Lammens instead of Villa's number one on deadline day, leaving the Argentine at Villa Park. At the time, it was reported that Martinez was keen to push through a move to United, which did not sit well with Villa fans, but the relationship was quickly patched up.
It meant United were crossed off the list of potential destinations for Martinez. For a player of his talent, if he was to be sold, then surely he would suit a move to Europe, particularly as Liverpool, Arsenal, United, and Manchester City are all sorted in respect of their goalkeepers. Should Martinez stay or go? The debate continues.
