Latest news with #EmiMartinez
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Leon Bailey set to seal life-changing £25m Saudi Arabia transfer after being left out in cold by Aston Villa
LEON BAILEY is expected to seal a life-changing £25 million move to Saudi Arabia this week. The Aston Villa forward is the subject of an offer believed to be from league newcomers Neom. 3 3 His agents have already held initial discussions with the Pro League club. Jamaican international Bailey, 27, is set to earn up to £10 million a year, tax-free. He was a key member of the Villa squad that qualified for the Champions League last season but has since fallen out of favour. The emergence of Morgan Rogers and the arrival of Marcus Rashford, combined with a series of niggling injuries, frustrated Bailey throughout the past campaign. Bailey's imminent departure adds to mounting speculation that Emi Martinez could also leave the club this summer. The Argentine World Cup winner was left in tears after Villa's final home game of the season, further fuelling rumours that it may have been his last appearance at Villa Park. When asked about the futures of both Bailey and Martinez ahead of the final game of the season, Villa boss Unai Emery said: 'Now we are focused on the matches we are playing. "It is the last match here I don't know, we will see. We will see about the team and the players. "How they respond and how focused they are on how we prepare for games." Why these WILD Chris Wood & Morgan Rogers stats could spell disaster for Chelsea & Man Utd | Experts' best bets - Weekend Wager Villa are set for a big summer having already said goodbye to winger Marcus Rashford, who arrived from Manchester United late last season and made a significant impact. The 27-year-old had been sidelined by United manager Ruben Amorim but was a breath of fresh air as Villa narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot. Sunsport understands Rashford has not entirely ruled out a return to Villa Park. However, interest from clubs abroad has made negotiations delicate at this stage. Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa's final home game of the season. Some feared it was a farewell and since then he was linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League. Man United, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be keen. Martinez's contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa's PSR concerns.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Aston Villa keen to loan out Argentina star after midfielder's stay at Bayer Leverkusen comes to an end
ASTON Villa are seeking a new loan destination for midfield schemer Emi Buendia as he returns from Bayer Leverkusen. Buendia is eager for a Premier League opportunity and his availability is likely to attract the attention of his former boss, Daniel Farke, at Leeds United. 3 3 3 However, Leeds have other priorities and Buendia may have to wait to see how committed they are to bringing him in. Leeds are allowed only two Premier League loans which could limit their options. Villa missed out on Champions League football to Chelsea and Newcastle after a defeat to Manchester United on the final day of the season. Since then, all attention has shifted to the future of goalkeeper and influential team member Emi Martinez. The Argentine has been sensational for Unai Emery 's side but fueled speculation of an exit when he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa's final home game of the season. There had been reports suggesting a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, but recent links indicate that Manchester United are now monitoring him. Neil Cutler, Martinez's former coach at Villa and close friend, hinted at a potential Premier League move when he said: "This summer is pivotal for Emi in terms of his career. "He's been voted the best goalkeeper in the world twice and it seems there is an opportunity for him this summer with all his options open. "Big clubs are queuing up to speak to him and he either stays at a massive club like Villa or moves to a truly world-class club. 'I don't think money is the issue for Emi, so I don't think he's ready to move to Saudi Arabia just yet. 'If he does move, it would be to a much bigger club, one of the really big hitters, like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid... or even Manchester United.' Lucas Chevalier, Espanyol's Joan Garcia, and Nice's Marcin Bulka if Martinez were to leave.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Emi Martinez ‘up for challenge of joining Man Utd' to replace Onana but ‘big clubs queuing up' to sign Aston Villa star
EMI MARTINEZ is the kind of huge character Manchester United need to restore their battered reputation as a global superpower. And the good news for United boss Ruben Amorim is the world's No 1 keeper would be up for the challenge — if Aston Villa decide to cash in this summer. 4 4 That is the word from Neil Cutler, Martinez's old coach at Villa, who remains close pals with his former star pupil. Cutler, 48, said: 'This summer is pivotal for Emi in terms of his career. 'He's been voted the best goalie in the world twice and there seems to be an opportunity for him this summer, with all of his options open. "Big clubs are queuing up to speak to him and he either stays at a massive club like Villa or he goes to a truly world-class club. 'I don't think it's about money with Emi so I don't think he is ready to move to Saudi yet. 'If he does move it would be to a much bigger club — one of the really big-hitters like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico... or even Manchester United.' Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa's final home game of the season. Some feared it was a farewell and since then he was linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK United, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be keen. Martinez's contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa's PSR concerns. Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa's final home game The Villans have been linked with moves for Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier, Espanyol's Joan Garcia and Nice's Marcin Bulka. Cutler believes this could be one of the rare moments in football when a move could suit everyone. Amorim certainly needs a new keeper after Andre Onana looked weak at Tottenham's Europa League final winner again and Martinez could be the inspirational figure he is searching for. "United can't offer him Champions League football but the sheer size of the club and the size of the challenge might appeal to Emi," said Cutler, now in charge of Wolves' goalkeepers. "Emi has the confidence required to play for a massive club like United and would feel he could affect the club in a really positive way. "He would look at United and say: 'Right, I can make this place better. I can help this club get back to where it was.' 'HE THRIVES ON THE BIGGEST OCCASIONS' "He's all about the challenge, he's all about the drive and the desire so I think United would suit him. "He thrives on the biggest occasions and could play for any team in the world as he's shown by winning the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina. "He would be a comfortable fit at United and would hit the ground running. "It's all down to what Villa want but, at 32, they will know this is when they can get the maximum return on him. If they hold off until next year they'd get less. "Unai needs a possession-based goalie and the keepers he's been linked with are top class and younger. "It could be one of those times when it suits all parties. "I'm a big Villa fan so I'd love to see him stay - and I wouldn't be surprised to see Emi lifting the Europa League trophy for Villa in 12 months time. "But I also want to see him play at the highest level possible and, if one of the really big hitters comes knocking, then he could have a huge decision to make." 4 4
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Aston Villa Slammed For $150M Whining -But Blame Lies With Klopp
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa reacts after a goal from Morgan Rogers (not ... More pictured) is disallowed during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by) Aston Villa knew it needed to win at Old Trafford to stand any chance of qualifying for the Champions League. As far as end-of-season assignments went, this was not a trip that would have provided much trepidation for Unai Emery's side. Manchester United has been rotten all season and had weary legs from a demoralising defeat in the Europa League final just days earlier. But inexplicably, Villa contrived to lose the game, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez's sending off in the first half for a bizarre body-check on Rasmus Hojlund. The Red Devils deserved to win what was a drab contest. However, in the aftermath of defeat, the club showed no public signs of introspection and instead zeroed in on a refereeing mistake that denied the Villains a goal. Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was going to ground to collect the ball when he fumbled, allowing Morgan Rogers to nip in and score what Villa believed would have proved to be a crucial goal. However, referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle, on the reasonable basis that, from his angle, Bayindir had two hands on the ball, which, by the laws of soccer, would mean Rogers had committed a foul. The official's decision to stop play meant the Video Assistant couldn't intervene despite replays subsequently showing in slow motion how Bayindir's fingers on one hand were, in fact, inches away from the ball. It was an incorrect decision, that was irrefutable, but to suggest that blowing the whistle was anything other than an honest mistake any referee could have made is ridiculous. Nevertheless, it quickly became clear postgame that Villa had decided upon both a narrative and a scapegoat. In the Birmingham club's post-match news conference, director of football operations Damian Vidagany highlighted 35-year-old Bramall's age and experience, claiming it was wrong for him to have been given such an important game. "We are going to send a complaint," Vidagany said. "The complaint is not about the decision, it is about the selection of the referee - one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League. "It's not about the decision, clearly it was a mistake. The complaint is about the referee. The problem is why the international referees were not here today." Vidagany kept his word, and the club submitted a letter to the Professional Game Match Officials Board [PGMOL], doubling down on the point with drama. 'Of the 10 referees to officiate across the Premier League today, Mr Bramall was the second least experienced,' the club wrote. 'The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers' goal, which would have given the club a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the match, was a major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League. 'We acknowledge the outcome will not change, but we believe it is important to address the selection methodology to ensure high-stakes matches are treated as such with regards to officiating and to ensure the implemented VAR technology is allowed to be effective.' Condensing a whole season's worth of reasons for why Aston Villa hasn't qualified for Europe's top competition into one 'major contributing factor' is clearly ludicrous. But it was highly effective in determining the media narrative in the aftermath. There was a far greater furore around this split-second error, which any right-minded person should recognise had nothing to do with age or experience, than on Aston Villa failing to beat the worst Manchester United side in living memory. Take former player turned pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor's stunt on sports radio station Talk Sport. The ex-Villa striker wrote his own letter to the officiating body in response to the decision. "For the attention of the PGMOL and [its boss] Howard Webb. Not only have you cost Aston Villa [$150million], you have cost us in our battle with PSR. The same battle that we have every season,' he wrote. "You have also destroyed Aston Villa's chance to play Champions League football again. Which would attract bigger talent and help us keep our better players. LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier ... More League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by) Hysterical focus on referees and decisions is not a new phenomenon; ever since officials have made errors, a crazed fan has wailed about a conspiracy. What has changed, however, is the wild echo chamber within the modern media ecosystem, which, through clips shared millions of times on social platforms, transforms a marginal call into a 'disgraceful error' costing millions. That exists regardless of the actions of clubs, players or coaches. But what certainly doesn't make it any better is a club singling out a referee personally for criticism. As Villa points out in its statement, complaining doesn't change anything, so why attack the official publicy other than to scapegoat him? If the Birmingham team were the first to act in such a manner, that would be one thing. But the truth is that this pattern of behaviour, I would argue, began with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool's actions after a goal was wrongly chalked off against Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 due to a horrendous VAR mix-up. Rather than fuming about the decision in the moment and then letting it go, they decided to escalate things. Klopp called for a replay while the club released a bizarre statement about the 'sporting integrity being undermined,' which concluded with the threatening line: 'We will explore the range of options available, given the clear need for escalation and resolution." That statement proved something of a catalyst in the public trashing of the refereeing body. Weeks later, when Arsenal lost to a controversial Newcastle United goal, they decided to release an official line, hammering the PGMOL 'PGMOL urgently needs to address the standard of officiating and focus on action which moves us all on from retrospective analysis, attempted explanations and apologies,' it said. Let's be honest. This is pathetic behaviour. These soccer clubs are businesses worth billions, with the infrastructure and strategies expected of such corporate behemoths. Every public statement is endlessly combed over by layers of management, which means there is little doubt that these attacks on referees or their governing body are highly calculated. They gain very little from attacking referees. In fact, the only consequence is that it creates the false perception that the game is poorly officiated, which it almost overwhelmingly isn't. That damages everyone in the long run because it causes people to lose faith. As Jonathan Wilson stated on The Guardian Football Weekly podcast, the referee's age or experience has nothing to do with Villa's failure. 'It's just pathetic. Grow up,' he said 'That's not why Villa aren't in the Champions League, they aren't in the Champions League because they haven't won enough games. They haven't beaten a terrible Manchester United.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Aston Villa transfer news: The EIGHT stars who could leave in summer overhaul, two goalscoring forwards on radar and the true impact of PSR
Everything has changed for Aston Villa after a heartbreaking final day of the Premier League season. In one rush of blood from Emi Martinez and an inability to avoid defeat against a thoroughly beatable Manchester United, the Champions League dream has gone and Villa will return to the next season.
