Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that Aston Villa may struggle to keep Emi Martinez at Villa Park if they fail to qualify for European football soon – with Tottenham reported as one of the clubs interested in the World Cup winner.
Martinez, 30, has sparkled for Villa since joining the club for £17m in 2020. In 91 appearances for the Midlands side, he has kept a whopping 30 clean sheets for a side that have been in the bottom half of the Premier League.
That has caught the eye, as has his form for Argentina. The nation have lacked a top-class goalkeeper for years but Martinez has changed that – shining between the sticks. In his 26 caps for his country, he has changed everything.
He has played a crucial part in Lionel Messi ending his trophy hunt with Argentina – winning the Copa America and then of course in Qatar, the World Cup. Dean Jones previously reported that Tottenham want to sign Martinez.
“Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Manchester United will all be linked to him,” Jones said. “Villa need to get into that same conversation pretty quickly. They need to show they can actually be a European force – it might be difficult.”
Jones: Villa may struggle to keep Martinez with Tottenham interested
Tottenham are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper. Fellow World Cup winner Hugo Lloris is likely to be replaced next summer. Now 36, Lloris is out of contract in 2024. But, the Frenchman is expected to leave next summer.
So, Spurs need a replacement. Looking at the Premier League and possibly attainable goalkeepers, Martinez is at the top of the tree in terms of quality. One of the Premier League’s best and quickly outgrowing the Midlands side.
If that was not true before the World Cup, winning the tournament and starring between the sticks is certainly proof if it now. If Villa cannot qualify for Europe this season, you would expect Spurs would prove tempting for Martinez.
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