Inter Milan eye move for Emiliano Martinez
A major shake-up could be brewing between the posts at Aston Villa, with fresh interest emerging from Italy.
Inter Milan make Martinez a priority target
The transfer market has once again put Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez under the spotlight. From Italy, Inter Milan have initiated exploratory contacts for the Aston Villa goalkeeper, who has emerged as a serious option to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
The Nerazzurri are assessing alternatives amid uncertainty surrounding Yann Sommer, whose performances have failed to fully convince and whose contract expires this summer. In that context, the Argentina World Cup winner has quickly climbed Inter’s shortlist.
A farewell that never materialised at Villa Park
The 33-year-old has been a cornerstone for Aston Villa since arriving in 2020, establishing himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League. Even so, speculation around his future has followed him through several transfer windows.
At the end of last season, gestures from Martinez were widely interpreted as a possible goodbye to the Villa Park crowd. Head coach Unai Emery avoided clear answers at the time, saying:
“We’ll see. It’s the last match here this season and I don’t know. We’ll see about the team and the players.”
In the end, no move came to fruition.
Contract hurdles and first contacts underway
Inter’s interest is not new. Reports surfaced in December suggesting a potential January approach, and now journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed that the Italian side have been in touch with Martinez’s representatives to understand the conditions of a possible deal.
The main obstacle is contractual. Martinez signed a new deal with Aston Villa in August 2024 and still has more than three years remaining, meaning any exit would require a significant fee. His current wages could also prove challenging for Inter, potentially forcing a renegotiation.
Sporting impact and Villa’s backup plan
On the pitch, Aston Villa are enjoying a strong campaign and sit among the top teams in the Premier League, with Martinez making 21 appearances this season. However, the club’s tight financial situation could make a strategic sale difficult to rule out.
Should the Argentine depart, Marco Bizot would be the in-house option to step in. The 34-year-old Dutch goalkeeper has already featured due to injuries, playing 10 matches, conceding eight goals, and keeping one clean sheet in league action.
Inter Milan’s renewed interest has reignited a familiar debate in Birmingham: how long can Aston Villa hold on to one of Europe’s most decisive goalkeepers? With initial contacts already made, the future of Emiliano Martinez is once again firmly on the transfer radar.
