Juventus have closed the door on a move for Emiliano Martinez after failing to reach an agreement with Aston Villa — and the Italian giants have already turned their attention towards another Premier League goalkeeper.
The Argentine goalkeeper had emerged as Juventus' preferred solution between the posts, but the proposed move has now collapsed after the two clubs failed to bridge the gap over the transfer fee.
Juventus are subsequently being forced to explore an alternative, with Tottenham Hotspur's Guglielmo Vicario now emerging as a leading option.
Martinez Move Finally Falls Apart
Juventus' pursuit of Martinez had developed into one of the more intriguing goalkeeper stories of the summer.
The Turin club wanted the World Cup-winning goalkeeper as they looked to strengthen a position that has remained an area of concern. Talks with Aston Villa progressed, but the two clubs could not agree on the financial structure of the transfer.
Villa were reportedly demanding around £8.5 million (€10m) as a fixed fee, while Juventus were unwilling to meet those terms. Their latest proposal was understood to have been structured around a lower guaranteed payment with potential add-ons.
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That difference has now proved decisive.
Juventus have officially abandoned negotiations rather than continue attempting to find a compromise.
There Was More Than One Problem
The transfer was never straightforward.
Martinez's age, salary and ongoing finger problem were all factors Juventus had to consider, while Aston Villa were also reluctant to lose their long-serving No.1 without having a replacement lined up.
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The situation changed significantly when Villa reached an agreement with Parma for Zion Suzuki.
The Japanese goalkeeper is set to move to Villa Park in a deal worth around £29.9m (€35m), including potential add-ons, giving Unai Emery's side greater freedom to consider Martinez's future.
Yet even with Villa preparing for life beyond Martinez, Juventus could not agree the final terms.
And that has brought the saga to an end.
Juventus Have Already Found Another Route
The most interesting part of the development is what comes next.
Rather than returning to the negotiating table, Juventus have identified another Premier League goalkeeper as a potential solution.
Guglielmo Vicario is now being considered by the Serie A giants, according to reports, with the Tottenham goalkeeper already familiar to Juventus' recruitment team as an alternative target.
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It is a significant change of direction.
Martinez represented experience, personality and proven success at the highest level.
Vicario would offer Juventus something different: a younger goalkeeper who has already experienced Premier League football and European competition.
Why Vicario Makes Sense
At 29, Vicario would also represent a longer-term option than Martinez.
The Italian goalkeeper joined Tottenham from Empoli in 2023 and quickly established himself as their first-choice goalkeeper.
His ability with the ball at his feet and willingness to play from the back would potentially suit a Juventus side looking to build possession from defence.
There is also an obvious attraction in signing a goalkeeper who already understands Italian football.
Before moving to England, Vicario spent his career in Italy, representing Udinese, Venezia, Cagliari, Perugia and Empoli.
A return to Serie A would therefore not require the same adaptation that Martinez would have faced after years in England.
A Frustrating End for Martinez
For Martinez, this represents another transfer opportunity that has failed to materialise.
The Argentina international has previously been linked with a move away from Villa Park, but remains under contract with Aston Villa until 2029.
[The Times]
Villa's decision to sign Suzuki has inevitably increased speculation about his future, but Juventus' withdrawal means the goalkeeper may now have to remain in England unless another opportunity develops.
For Villa, meanwhile, the arrival of Suzuki provides valuable insurance.
The club can now prepare for either scenario without being forced into a last-minute goalkeeper search.
Juventus Cannot Afford to Wait
The timing of the collapse makes the situation particularly important for Juventus.
The club have been looking for greater reliability in goal after Michele Di Gregorio's inconsistent spell, and Luciano Spalletti wants stronger competition for the position.
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Martinez was supposed to provide the experience and personality Juventus were looking for.
Now, the recruitment team must quickly determine whether Vicario is the right alternative or whether another target should be considered.
The good news for Juventus is that the alternative has already been identified.
The difficult part will be convincing Tottenham.
Fan Debate
●🔥 Fire: Did Juventus make the right decision walking away from Martinez?
●🧤 Goalkeeper: Would you choose Vicario over Martinez?
●😲 Shock: Were you surprised the transfer collapsed?
●💬 Comment: Who should Juventus sign before the window closes?
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