As Aston Villa close in on the signing of Japanese international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, two-time Yashin Trophy winner Emiliano Martinez looks set to exit Villa Park this summer.
Having joined the Villans under Dean Smith in 2020, Emiliano Martinez has had a whirlwind six years with the club, which has coincided with his rise to prominance in world football.
Through his exceptional shot stopping and evolution to a ball-playing goalkeeper, 'Dibu' has earned legend status at Villa Park and is widely seen as the club's best goalkeeper of the modern era.
However, with Martinez turning 34 in September, Aston Villa have begun planning for life after their World Cup winning goalkeeper, especially considering that the Argentine has been looking for an exit for the best part of 18 months.
According to reports, 23 year-old Japanese 'keeper Zion Suzuki, who looked set to join PSG up until last week, is set to join the club, regardless of what happens to their current number one, leaving Martinez in desperate need of an exit.
He did look set to join Juventus as recently as Sunday evening, but the Italian giants have opted for a cheaper loan move for Tottenham Hotspur's Guglielmo Vicario instead, meaning that Martinez is in somewhat of a limbo.
With all that in mind, let's take a look at some potential destinations for Emiliano Martinez this summer.
Chelsea
With their current crop of goalkeepers arguably ailing to deliver, Chelsea could offer Emiliano Martinez an escape from Villa Park.
Holding a 'special relationship' with the Villans, having seen a number of transfers move between the two sides in recent seasons, the Blues could strike a reasonable deal for Martinez, with his inflated wages unlikely to present any issue.
Having lacked a truly top goalkeeper since selling Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid in 2018, Martinez would offer world class ability at Stamford Bridge, while his experience and age would be more befitting of the Chelsea transfer strategy this summer.
Inter Miami
Having helped the greatest player of all time to a trio of international honours, could Emiliano Martinez join Lionel Messi at club level?
Inter Miami have signed a number of Messi's former club or international teammates throughout his time in the MLS, with Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Rodrigo de Paul and Sergio Busquets just a few of the players to join the defending champions.
A move to the MLS could take the spotlight off the 33 year-old somewhat, allowing him to focus on performing at his top level and providing him with one final contract at the end of his miraculous rise to the top.
Any Saudi Pro League Team
While it appears to be the easy answer for most ageing players in recent seasons, Saudi Arabia could be a serious option for Martinez this summer.
An Argentinian super star, Martinez is of the prominance to command a move to the Saudi Pro League, with the clubs in that league able to not only match his current salary, but increase it significantly.
A move to one of the big teams in Saudi Arabia would also allow him to compete in the AFC Champions League, giving him the ability to add more silverware to his already glittering collection.
