Emiliano Martinez set Aston Villa challenge amid exit links

The Argentine keeper has attracted interest from a host of elite sides after his performances in the World Cup.

Emiliano Martinez insists he is not considering an “easy” transfer out of Aston Villa after winning the World Cup.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper was vital to Argentina’s trophy-winning campaign in Qatar. His performances earned him the tournament’s Golden Glove as well as the FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year prize.

Since the World Cup, transfer rumours around Martinez have intensified. Most English outlets expect to see the Argentine star in a Champions League club next season, but he is looking to complete an unfinished job at Aston Vila.

Speaking on Mike Calvin’s Football People podcast for BT Sport, he said: “I want to achieve something that no one achieves, or it’s been hard to achieve.

“And obviously, people were saying, after the Copa America after the World Cup, Emi is going to go and play Champions League and he’s going to leave. And I’m thinking, yeah, that’s the easiest part.

“You know that that’s easy leaving now in January going to a club playing the Champions League and all that. It seems everything easy. Actually, it was a real challenge for me. Winning a World Cup for Argentina after 36 years. Yes. Beating the champions of America after 28 years in the Maracana. Yeah, that was a challenge. Winning the Finalissima against the champions of Europe was a challenge.

“And now we need something for Aston Villa after 30 years? I don’t know how long it was. 40 years? That’s a challenge.

“You know, that’s a challenge. And that’s something I’m made for – for challenges, for not always having the easy way out. And we’ve got one of the best managers for winning things in Europe. So I’m up for the challenge.”