Juventus Close In On Emiliano Martinez As Villa Line Up Suzuki Replacement
Emi Martinez remains Juventus’ top goalkeeping target as Aston Villa reportedly consider lowering their valuation, with talks still ongoing.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Updated on 20 August 2026
Juventus are closing in on a deal for Emiliano Martinez, with Aston Villa’s move to sign a replacement clearing the way for the Argentine goalkeeper’s exit.
The pursuit has swung back and forth for weeks, including a complete collapse earlier in the summer, but the picture now looks more advanced than at any previous point.
Some reports suggest Martinez could travel to Turin within days to complete the move.
Why The Emiliano Martinez Deal Fell Apart And Came Back
Juventus officially withdrew from the race for Martinez in early August, with the total cost of the operation deemed financially unfeasible at the time.
The saga was revived after Villa’s own move for goalkeeper Zion Suzuki collapsed when a proposed transfer to Paris Saint-Germain fell through.
That setback for Villa reopened the door. With Suzuki suddenly available again, Villa turned their attention to signing him from Parma as Martinez’s eventual replacement, which in turn gave Juventus fresh encouragement to return for their original target.
Villa Agree Zion Suzuki Deal To Replace Martinez
Villa have since agreed a deal worth around €35m to sign Suzuki from Parma, giving them a like-for-like successor lined up before Martinez’s exit is finalised.
That agreement is significant for Juventus’s pursuit specifically because it removes Villa’s main obstacle to letting Martinez leave.
Clubs are typically reluctant to sell a starting goalkeeper without a replacement in place, and Villa now have exactly that sorted.
Juventus’s Improved Offer For Emiliano Martinez
Juventus have submitted a formal bid reported at around €7m fixed plus a further €3m in performance-related bonuses, taking the total package close to €10m.
That figure represents a significant increase on Juventus’s earlier position, when the club were unwilling to go beyond around €7.5m.
It also falls short of Villa’s original valuation, which had been reported above €15m for much of the summer, though the gap has narrowed considerably as talks have progressed.
Reports earlier in the process indicated Martinez had already agreed personal terms with Juventus on a three-year contract worth €5.5m net per season, meaning the player’s side of the deal isn’t the current obstacle.
What Emiliano Martinez Would Offer Juventus
Martinez remains one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in world football, built on his performances for Argentina and a World Cup winner’s medal from 2022.
For Juventus, signing an experienced international goalkeeper would address a position manager Luciano Spalletti has identified as a priority this summer, with Michele Di Gregorio facing criticism in Italy after underwhelming pre-season performances.
At 33, Martinez offers the kind of proven top-level experience Juventus have been seeking as they look to strengthen a key position without committing to a long-term project.
What Happens Next For The Emiliano Martinez Transfer
The next step is for Juventus and Villa to convert the improved offer into a finalised agreement, with Martinez reportedly preparing for the possibility of travelling to Italy within the next 48 hours.
Given how many times this deal has swung between collapse and revival already this summer, nothing should be considered finished until it’s officially confirmed by both clubs.
But with Villa’s succession plan now sorted through the Suzuki deal, Juventus appear to have their clearest path yet to completing one of the summer’s longest-running goalkeeper sagas.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Ginevra Cattaneo grew up in Bologna with a football shirt on her back and a match playing somewhere in the background at all times. From backyard arguments about whether Maldini or Baresi was the greatest ever to staying up late watching Champions League nights, the game has always been at the centre of her life. She brings that same passion and familiarity to everything she writes, covering Serie A, Italian football culture, and the rapidly growing world of women's football in Italy.
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