Emiliano Martinez sparked a major controversy on Monday after appearing in Barcelona, Spain, and was immediately linked with a move to Barcelona.
The Argentine goalkeeper had previously expressed his desire to leave Aston Villa next summer, having had enough of his distinguished career at Villa Park, amid recent lucrative Saudi offers.
Martinez has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent days, and the rumors intensified with reports that Hansi Flick and Joan Laporta were keen to sign a new goalkeeper, even if Szczesny remained and despite Ter Stegen’s return from injury.
On Monday, immediately after the Premier League season ended on Sunday, Martinez traveled with his family to Barcelona. Some believe it was just a temporary vacation, while others believe it was to negotiate with Barça, as Mundo Deportivo suggested.
What increases the likelihood that Martinez’s vacation is motivated by his dream of moving to Barcelona is that his agent, Jorge Mendes, will arrive in the city within hours to negotiate various deals with Barça, such as renewing Lamine Yamal’s contract and selling Ansu Fati to Monaco.
It should be noted that Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is Barcelona’s current top target, but the player has not yet made a decision to leave for his club’s eternal rival or move outside of Spain in general.
