
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is now ready to cash in on a £150,000-a-week player who is happy to leave the club, according to a new report.
Aston Villa face Man Utd in two separate transfer battles
As the Premier League enters the month of May, transfer business is expected to heat up, and at Villa Park, there is an expectation there is going to be a lot of coming and going, as there has been ever since Emery joined the club.

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The transfer window has yet to open, and already the Villans find themselves in two separate battles with Manchester United. The first is for goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who currently plays for Espanyol.
The shot-stopper has impressed in La Liga, and he is now wanted by both Premier League teams, as they have their eyes on strengthening their goalkeeper department. Villa are looking to win the race for Garcia by acting fast, and they are willing to trigger his release clause, which stands at £21 million. United are not out of the race though, as they have made contact with the player’s representatives over a deal to come to Old Trafford.
The second battle Villa face against United is signing teenager Christian Kofane from Albacete Balompié. The 18-year-old is wanted by Villa, United and Newcastle United, as well as many other top teams across Europe. His recent form in front of goal has put him further in the spotlight, and once again, he is a player who has a release clause, but this time a low one, as he would cost as little as £4.2 million.
Emery ready to wave goodbye to Emi Martinez
Winning the race to sign Garcia may be more significant for the Villans, as according to TBR Football, Emery now wants to sell goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who is ready to leave the Premier League club.
The report states that Saudi Pro League clubs are ready to make a move for Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina back in 2022. It goes on to add that Villa are interested in doing business over a possible sale, despite the fact that he is still under contract until 2029. Meanwhile, Martinez is also interested in a move away from Villa Park, after joining the club in September 2020.
The 32-year-old, who earns a weekly wage of £150,000 at Villa Park, has become one of the strongest keepers in the Premier League as well as European football. But the fact that Villa have shown an interest in Garcia could mean they see now as the ideal time for the club to cash in and bring in a younger replacement.
Emi Martinez’s 24/25 Premier League stats |
|
---|---|
Apps |
33 |
Clean Sheets |
5 |
Goals conceded |
45 |
Goals conceded per game |
1.4 |
Saves made |
87 |
Penalty saves |
1/2 |
Saves per game |
2.6 (66%) |
Errors leading to a shot |
5 |
Errors leading to a goal |
1 |
This season has been a slight struggle for Villa and Martinez in terms of keeping out the goals, as they have conceded 45 goals so far in the league with Martinez in goal, and the Argentine has kept just five clean sheets, which is lower than the nine he kept last season.