Aston Villa are warming to the idea of selling their best player in a change of stance that’ll alert Tottenham, while a report has revealed two reasons why Unai Emery is on board with the move.

The arrival of Emery has stabilised Aston Villa’s season. They looked destined to become embroiled in a relegation scrap under former boss Steven Gerrard, though five wins from Emery’s first 11 league matches at the helm has pushed Villa into mid-table safety.

But according to the Daily Mail, Villa will throw their backing behind Emery next summer as they prepare for a squad rebuild.

To ensure the Spaniard has the funding he’ll need, it’s stated a high profile player sale will be required to help balance the books.

On that front, the Mail report Aston Villa ‘will listen to offers for Emiliano Martinez’ at season’s end.

The 30-year-old is arguably Villa’s best player having more than proved his worth with Argentina at the World Cup.

Martinez became an attacker’s worst nightmare in penalty shoot-outs, though that’s not to say his form at club level hasn’t been equally as impressive.

He’s proved an inspired signing since arriving from Arsenal for around £20m in 2020. His first season at Villa Park resulted in being named Villa’s Player of the Season.

Martinez signed a long-term extension that committed his future at Villa until 2027 just one year ago. However, the Mail point out he dreams of playing in the Champions League and try as they might, that’s not a demand Villa are likely to satisfy any time soon.

As such, Villa ‘would consider offers’ for Martinez and the club hope to command a colossal fee.

Aston Villa want monster sum; Emery’s second reason for cashing in

No exact numbers are stated, though it’s intimated Villa would hope Martinez can become the third-most expensive goalkeeper of all time.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£71m) and Alisson Becker (£65m) are first and second on the list. Gianluigi Buffon is third (approx. £45m at current exchange rate) and Villa will expect Martinez to cost at least as much as the legendary Italian did over 20 years ago.

Aside from the enormous sum Martinez would generate, a second reason why Emery is receptive to a sale is cited.

The Villa boss is known to favour a ‘sweeper keeper’ more in the mould of Alisson or Ederson. Martinez is unquestionably a top class goalkeeper, though his strengths are very much in his hands and not his feet.

On the subject of who could swoop, Tottenham have been named by a transfer insider.

Speaking in late-2022, Dean Jones seemed convinced Spurs were sizing up Martinez amid Hugo Lloris’ dramatic loss of form.

The French veteran, 36, leads the league in errors leading to goals this season. His tally of four is bad enough, though is made to look even worse by the fact no other player across any position has more than two.

In lieu of his stunning decline, calls have begun to grow over Lloris being replaced over the summer.

“[Goalkeeper is] a very interesting position at Spurs going forward,” Jones previously told GiveMeSport. “I do think they’re keeping an eye on the [Jordan] Pickford situation.

“I’m pretty sure they’re also looking at Emi Martinez and whether he might consider a move at the end of the season.”

The Mail’s report also namechecked Spurs, while Man Utd and Chelsea get a mention too. Key to Tottenham’s chances will of course be qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

READ MORE: Tottenham close to finalising out-of-window transfer with attacker to move ‘immediately’

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