Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is set to be handed a conundrum in the goalkeeping department with the expected move of Emiliano Martinez to Juventus collapsing.

The Villans are looking to breathe new life into their options between the sticks ahead of the 2026/27 campaign with Emery looking to move on from the services of the Argentine.

Martinez has made 256 appearances for Aston Villa, keeping 80 clean sheets, and still has another three years left on his deal at the Villa Park. However, the 33-year-old has agreed personal terms with Serie A giants Juventus.

The Athleticnow report that Martinez’s move to Juventus has collapsed. Despite personal terms being agreed between the player and prospective club, Aston Villa have not yet accepted a transfer fee.

It’s claimed that Juventus lodged a fresh bid for Martinez over the weekend with an increased fee, reducing the price gap between offer and valuation. However, Aston Villa’s determination to hold out for a reported €10million (£8.5million) has now seen Juventus pull out of the deal.

The Serie A outfit will turn its attention to other targets with a move for Tottenham Hotspur star Guglielmo Vicario now a priority. On Monday morning, it has been reported that a loan agreement between Juventus and Spurs has been reached.

Unai Emery handed goalkeeping conundrum at Villa Park

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The transfer collapse could leave Aston Villa in a sticky situation. The Villans have now reached an agreement to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma in a €35million deal.

The 23-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract at Villa Park on Monday with Emery keen to have the Japan international as first choice over the 2026/27 campaign.

Aston Villa now risk having two World Cup heavyweights on the books for the 2026/27 campaign with Martinez once again failing to secure a move away. The goalkeeper had been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United last summer but that deal collapsed, with the Red Devils ultimately signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead.

Martinez was not included in the Aston Villa squad to take on PSG in the UEFA Super Cup last week. Marco Bizot started that clash, with James Wright and Owen Asemota on the bench.

Ranking Aston Villa goalkeeping options

Aston Villa and Emery had made a big decision in allowing World Cup winner Martinez to leave the club this summer, even if the player had been halfway out the door at Villa Park 12 months ago. The Villans will no doubt push to find Martinez a new destination and avoid paying the wages of both the Argentine and Suzuki, but who is the best option between the sticks for the club?

5 Owen Asemota

Asemota only signed his first professional contract with the club in September and is yet to feature for the first team. The 18-year-old is a former Arsenal academy member and has represented England at youth level, but still has a lot of learning to do, despite featuring on the bench against PSG.

4 James Wright

Wright offers greater experience to Asemota but is also yet to receive first team minutes and is not a viable back-up option for Emery quite yet. The 21-year-old, who was an unused substitute in the Europa League final, enjoyed a successful loan stint at Real Union in the third tier of Spanish football over the 2024/25 campaign. Wright has been a prominent figure at Under-18 and Under-21 level for Villa.

3 Marco Bizot

Bizot was a reliable deputy to Martinez last season, with his best performances coming in the Europa League. The 35-year-old made 14 appearances last term but his best years are past him, with a crazy red card against Newcastle United in the FA Cup pointing to a player without the credentials for the number one spot.

2 Emi Martinez

Martinez has been a superb servant to the club but, at 33 years old, Aston Villa are right to be thinking about the future. The goalkeeper enjoyed another impressive World Cup campaign, playing through the final with a broken finger and making 11 saves against Spain. Martínez remains a strong first choice option.

1 Zion Suzuki

Suzuki is the most exciting option for Aston Villa. The Parma star is yet to play European football but has all the credentials of a goalkeeper ready to make that step up. The 23-year-old, who still offers huge potential, played every minute of the World Cup for Japan. Suzuki offers an imposing physical presence and willingness to affect play by coming off his line. His signing would be a coup for Villa.

Rory McIlroy gave his honest verdict on Donald Trump’s golf ability after playing with the incumbent US president at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida.

Trump is a keen golfer, and has mixed it up with some of the biggest stars from all walks of life. Footballers Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney are among the big names, as well as the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jack Nicklaus from the world of golf. He’s even played a round with Northern Irishman and two-time Masters winner Rory McIlroy.

Given Trump’s long affinity with the sport, there’s no surprise that he has been praised for his ability on the course. McIlroy certainly saw this as he gave his thoughts on how good he actually is after their round together back in 2017.

Rory McIlroy Analyses Donald Trump’s Golf Ability

One of the many things that has become synonymous with Trump throughout his years in the spotlight is his affinity with golf. He owns several courses, and has even brought the passion into the world of politics. He’s been seen playing with other world leaders, while also remaining an owner of several locations.

McIlroy isn’t the only golfing legend to rub shoulders with Trump, as Jack Nicklaus has also talked about playing with him. When asked where Trump ranks compared to other presidents, he said: “Well, the ones I’ve played with, actually Trump is probably the best player.”

Bryson DeChambeau has even given his verdict on Trump’s ability before, after they played a round together for the American’s YouTube channel.

Similarly, McIlroy also had plenty of praise for Trump, as he said after their round together: “He probably shot around 80. He’s a decent player for a guy in his 70s.”

It seems evident that all the time on the course has been paying off for the US president, as McIlroy doesn’t talk up everybody’s ability.

Rory McIlroy Criticised For Playing With Donald Trump

Playing with Trump certainly divided opinions, but McIlroy affirmed that the interest in golf was the only thing that brought them together.

He said: “Golf was our common ground, nothing else. I’ve travelled all over the world and have been fortunate enough to befriend people from many different countries, beliefs, and cultures.”

Furthermore, he also responded to some of the political claims sent his way after the event, saying: “To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone’s company is just ridiculous.”

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In terms of a return to professional golf for the Northern Irishman, he is still dealing with an injury. Since January, McIlroy has been dealing with a stress fracture in his ribs, which occurred during the BMW SA Open.

He is still eyeing a return to competition at the WGC-Mexico Championship, which occurs next week. Mcllroy has also said, however, that he isn’t looking to rush anything, and potentially run the risk of aggravating the problem.

Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are eyeing a move to sign Chelsea star Pedro Neto this summer, GIVEMESPORT sources understand.

The Blues have seen a major squad transformation this summer with ten new arrivals for new manager Xabi Alonso, with Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Pep Chevarria, Danny Welbeck, Jordan, Henderson, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, and Valentin Barco all joining.

The club are now expected to see players depart before the transfer window closes on September 1st, and a number of their top stars are understood to be attracting interest in the final weeks, including the Portugal international.

GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Al Hilal are showing an interest in Neto as they look to strengthen their attack further, having already signed Crysencio Summerville from West Ham earlier in the window for around £68m.

As of Monday morning (August 17), GIVEMESPORT understands that Chelsea have not received a formal bid for the winger from Al Hilal or anyone else. The west London club have also now put a £100m valuation on the 26-year-old, with Neto having a contract at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2031.

Neto has been a regular for Chelsea since joining from Wolves in 2024, racking up an impressive 103 appearances over three seasons, scoring 19 times. He is also expected to be part of Alonso’s squad this season should he stay, having featured during pre-season since returning from the World Cup.

In the 2025/26 season, Neto played 34 times in the Premier League, and it’s understood that Man City are also showing an interest in the winger, with former boss Enzo Maresca known to be a huge fan.

Chelsea Don’t Need to Sell

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Chelsea may have a bloated squad heading into the final weeks of the window, but Neto is a player who has proven his worth at the highest level.

He’s been picked regularly by several different managers, with Liam Rosenior even describing him as ‘world-class’ during the most recent campaign.

‘Pedro Neto brings us so many different qualities that we need,” he said.

Alongside Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Estevao, and Quenda, Chelsea have an abundance of quality options in attack if they keep Neto in the squad, but a major offer could be enough to convince them to do business before the deadline.