Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez is edging closer to a summer exit from Aston Villa after verbally agreeing personal terms with Juventus. The Argentina World Cup-winning goalkeeper has reportedly reached a three-year agreement with the Italian giants, accepting a salary reduction to make the switch to Turin — but the two clubs have yet to settle on a transfer fee.
The Verbal Agreement
According to reports from Goal.com and Sky Sports, Martinez has told Juventus he is committed to making the move happen. The terms of his proposed contract at the Allianz Stadium would see the 34-year-old earn approximately €5.5 million net per season — a significant reduction from the €7 million he currently takes home at Villa Park. That willingness to take a pay cut underlines just how keen Martinez is to pursue a new challenge in Serie A.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has publicly confirmed his club's admiration for the goalkeeper, calling him a top target for the new season. The Italian giants are in the market for a goalkeeper following recent uncertainty around their current options and see Martinez as the ideal profile to bring leadership and experience to their back line.
The Fee Dispute
The major stumbling block is the transfer fee. Aston Villa have reportedly demanded a figure close to €15 million to sanction the sale, while Juventus are understood to be pushing for a lower price given Martinez's age and the length of the contract he would be signing. Villa director Damian Vidagany has publicly insisted the goalkeeper is not for sale and remains a key part of Unai Emery's plans — but those behind-the-scenes reports suggest otherwise.
Should the two clubs fail to agree on a fee, Juventus have already identified alternatives, with Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario among the names on their shortlist. For his part, Martinez is said to be growing increasingly frustrated with the situation at Villa — keen to prove himself on a different stage after his heroics in Argentina's back-to-back World Cup campaigns.
Martinez at Villa — A Decorated Stay
Martinez has been one of English football's most important goalkeepers since joining Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2021. He was integral to Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar — where his penalty shootout heroics became the stuff of legend — and played a key role again as La Albiceleste reached the 2026 final, ultimately losing 1-0 to Spain in New York after extra time. For Villa, losing him would represent a significant blow, regardless of the fee received.
What's Next?
With the transfer window set to close on September 1, both clubs will need to move quickly to reach a resolution. If Juventus can close the fee gap, Martinez could become one of the most headline-grabbing summer moves between the Premier League and Serie A. If talks stall, Villa will retain one of the best goalkeepers in world football — at least for another season.
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