Luciano Spalletti says Juventus transfer target Emi Martinez ‘wants to change teams

LIEGE, BELGIUM - JULY 25: Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Juventus looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Standard de Liege and Juventus at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on July 25, 2026 in Liege, Belgium. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Juventus’ hunt for a new starting goalkeeper has been a saga that has now been drawn out for two months, with the start of the 2026-27 season being less than a month away and there being no actual resolution to things.

Naturally, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti was asked about the transfer market following his team’s 1-0 friendly win over Standard Liège on Saturday, and the goalkeeper position was a topic of discussion. Or, more specifically, top Juve target Emi Martinez of Aston Villa, who is now done with his national team responsibilities with Argentina at the World Cup. Aston Villa, however, have maintained that they have no interest in selling the 34-year-old Martinez despite Juventus’ clear interest in trying to bring him to Italy.

Another element is the fact that Spalletti said this about Martinez after Saturday’s friendly:

“Dibu Martinez? He is a player who wants to change teams [this summer], and we’re looking for competitiveness, but we have two goalkeepers.”

(Source: VecchiaSignora.com via La Gazzetta Dello Sport )

This is probably the most direct we’ve heard Spalletti talk about one of Juventus’ transfer targets in the couple of times he’s spoken with the press so far this preseason. And don’t forget that one of the big things we heard when Juventus’ interest in Martinez first broke and that he reportedly agreed personal terms with the club was that it was Spalletti who had direct contact with him to talk things over.

So is that Lucio using the post-friendly microphones to tell us some inside information?

Or is this just a negotiating tactic of sorts as Juventus are probably entering the time of the preseason in which they either try and secure a deal with Aston Villa for Martinez or pivot away from him?

As reports come out about Juventus still talking with the clubs of other potential options in goal , the clock is certainly ticking when it comes to the Bianconeri’s chances of actually signing Martinez. It’s either get Martinez secured soon or move on to other players despite the fact that Dibu is clearly the best of the bunch.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →