Aston Villa are reportedly weighing up a summer raid of Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers with Jose Sa lined up as a potential replacement for World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Is there a more ‘complete’ goalkeeper in England’s top flight?
There are certainly few very who could match Emi Martinez’s all-round skill-set. Not only an elite shot-stopper, the former Arsenal back-up also boasts an outstanding penalty-saving record, he commands his penalty area with confidence and authority, and his distribution ranks among the very best the Premier League has to offer too.
So, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur and more all in the market for a new number one this summer, it only makes sense for Aston Villa to prepare for a worst-case scenario.
Especially with Martinez’s agent, Gustavo Goni, admitting that his client dreams of Champions League football. Something that, despite Aston Villa’s remarkable resurgence under Unai Emery, is still a long way away as far as the Midland giants are concerned.
“Today there are few teams that can afford a goalkeeper like him,” Goni said after those World Cup heroics in Qatar. “But (Martinez is) clearly aiming high, for the Champions League.”
Jose Sa in, Emiliano Martinez out at Aston Villa?
Tuttomercatoweb believe that, if Martinez does go, Aston Villa may look close to home for a replacement. Wolves’ Jose Sa is reportedly high on Villa’s wishlist; a £17 million fee required to take the Portugal international away from Molineux.
A big hit during his debut season at Molineux, Jose Sa has endured a mixed 2022/23. Mistakes have creeped into his game, with Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui dropping him in favour of Daniel Bentley in recent weeks.
“All the players in each squad have the possibility to play,” Loeptegui said before Bentley’s fine display at Manchester United.
“We have good competition. Dan is working very hard and is trying to force Jose to do the same. Which is a good thing for them and for us.
“After we have to choose, but the competition is always good for the team.”
Jose Sa is under contract until 2026. Wolves may be open to selling for the right price, however. And while Martinez would leave big boots to fill – or should that be gloves – Sa’s proven track record in the Premier League and the fact he is settled in the Midlands could stand Aston Villa in good stead.
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