Emiliano Martinez has already suggested that a move could be on the cards this summer, with Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United all eager to further bolster their options between the sticks. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been briefly linked with an exit from Villa Park lately despite having four years left on his deal.
Martinez has featured 33 times for Aston Villa in the Premier League this season, helping Unai Emery's side keep 13 clean sheets, as well playing his part in a World Cup-winning campaign with Argentina. His impressive performances have reportedly attracted the attention of some big clubs, and he's expected to make a big decision in the coming weeks.
According to TYC Sports, Chelsea, Spurs and United are all interested in acquiring the Argentina international's services. The report states that the north Londoners are currently leading the race to sign Martinez, with Hugo Lloris facing an increasingly uncertain future at the club.
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TYC Sports add that the Blues are next in line for the Villa goalkeeper. Despite having been preferred between the sticks this season, Kepa Arrizabalaga has struggled to impress.
The Spaniard has displayed flashes of brilliance with his snappy reflexes, but his shot-stopping from range has cast doubt over his future. With regard to Mendy, he's barely had a look in; the Senegal international has spent a large majority of the campaign on the sidelines despite having once been the club's No.1.
In June, football.london understood that Chelsea begun preparing a new deal for Mendy, who is currently one of the lowest earners in the first-team. Then, in September, the Evening Standard revealed that the 31-year-old turned down an opening offer.
In December, The Sun claimed that he had snubbed a six-year contract. The report stated that Mendy believed the west Londoners didn't show him enough 'respect' with the proposal.
After winning the World Cup with Argentina, Martinez admitted that leaving Villa would be the 'easy' option. But, instead, he confirmed that his next career goal was to win a trophy with the Villans.
"I want to achieve something that no one achieves, or it's been hard to achieve," said Martinez on a BT Sport podcast, 'Mike Calvin’s Football People'. "And obviously, people were saying, after the Copa America after the World Cup, Emi is going to go and play Champions League and he’s going to leave.
"And I'm thinking, yeah, that's the easiest part. You know that that's easy leaving now in January going to a club playing the Champions League and all that.
"It seems everything easy. Actually, it was a real challenge for me. Winning a World Cup for Argentina after 36 years. Yes. Beating the champions of America after 28 years in the Maracana.
"Yeah, that was a challenge. Winning the Finalissima against the champions of Europe was a challenge. And now we need something for Aston Villa after 30 years? I don’t know how long it was. 40 years? That’s a challenge. You know, that's a challenge.
"And that's something I’m made for - for challenges, for not always having the easy way out. And we’ve got one of the best managers for winning things in Europe. So I'm up for the challenge."
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