Inter Milan Target Emi Martinez Not In Aston Villa Squad After Transfer Talks
The veteran goalkeeper could be on the move this month.
Emi Martinez has not travelled with Aston Villa for their Europa League trip to Fenerbahce.
Emi Martinez Absent After Inter Milan Swoop
Inter Milan want Martinez and have begun talks over a swoop for the goalkeeper, as reported by FootItalia.
The 33-year-old is believed to be open to moving to the San Siro, with his long-term future uncertain. His absence in Turkey will only fuel speculation that he could leave Villa as soon as this month.
Martinez pushed to join Manchester United last summer but remained at Villa Park and eventually regained his No 1 status between the sticks, playing 18 of his side’s 22 Premier League matches this season.
His understudy Marco Bizot began the campaign as Unai Emery’s main stopper in the Europa League, and he is set to start again on Thursday evening.
While Villa have not provided an official reason for Martinez’s absence, he has been nursing a calf injury of late.
The 2022 World Cup winner did return against Everton last time out, but was responsible for a second-half mistake that allowed Thierno Barry to score the only goal of the game.
He had been substituted during the half-time break in Villa’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last month, before missing out on their FA Cup victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
Regardless, his latest omission will add to the rumours around a potential transfer.
Emi Martinez has not travelled to Turkey with his Aston Villa teammates to play against Fenerbahce.#AVFC
— John Townley (@johntownley11) January 21, 2026
Inter Milan Set To Hold Fresh Talks
FootItalia revealed that Villa would be open to letting Martinez pursue a new challenge with Inter Milan.
Despite the veteran making a string of high-profile mistakes this campaign, Cristian Chivu remains an admirer. He believes he still has plenty to offer in Serie A, and trusts him to play a crucial role.
Martinez’s hefty wages could prove an issue, though. According to Capology, he is on a €173,000 per week salary at Villa, a significant amount Inter could not match.
Further discussions would be aimed at reaching an agreement over a transfer fee and personal terms.
A price tag of €10-15m has been mooted, with Martinez still having three-and-a-half years to run on his deal.
His potential arrival would see Yann Sommer leave Inter. The former Swiss international is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and a return to Basel is on the cards.
After arriving from Bayern Munich in 2023, he has won the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana. Sommer also helped steer the Nerazzurri to the Champions League final in May, before conceding five goals against PSG.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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