Aston Villa pair Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey could reportedly be targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia this summer.
Villa are likely to face important decisions at the end of the season, both in terms of our financial position in relation to PSR, but also how to continue to make Unai Emery’s squad as competitive as possible.
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As we’ve seen in recent transfer windows, the balancing act for Monchi and the management team is a difficult one, and those same issues and concerns are likely to emerge this summer too as we’re expecting to see further sales as well as new signings.
According to The Telegraph, relief could come in the form of exits for Martinez and Bailey, as it’s reported that the duo are being targeted for possible moves to Saudi Arabia.
It’s added that although specific clubs aren’t yet known, there is interest in both players, and so it sounds as though Villa will have some big decisions to make in the coming months.
While Martinez has been a fundamental figure for us since joining in 2020 and has been pivotal in our progression and development up to this point, question marks have started to be raised over his form in recent months after some key mistakes in big games, while our defensive record hasn’t been anywhere near good enough over the past year or so.
Further, as one of the top earners at the club, Villa will likely be under pressure to reduce the wage bill this summer, and so if a big-money transfer fee for the Argentine shot-stopper is on the table from Saudi, it could be too good an opportunity to turn down as he’s set to turn 33 in September.
At this stage, there is no confirmation of said interest, Villa’s stance on his future or whether or not Martinez would even entertain the idea of a move to Saudi Arabia at this point in his career. In turn, a lot still has to happen, but amid growing speculation linking Villa with a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, it does feel as though there could be something to the ongoing transfer talk.
As for Bailey, he has struggled to replicate his form after a brilliant season last year, as he has had injury troubles and hasn’t been able to make the same level of impact when involved.
In turn, that is certainly a more believable outcome as Villa could try to cash in and upgrade in that role this summer, and so although it would be a disappointing way for his time with us to end, Emery has continued to show faith in him and given him chances to stake his claim, and unfortunately it just hasn’t happened this season.
Regardless of whether or not we’re able to secure Champions League qualification with four decisive Premier League games still to come this season, it feels as though it’s going to be another big summer for the club as we try to juggle financial constraints and building a more competitive squad, and that could ultimately mean we have to make sacrifices that we perhaps don’t necessarily want to make.
