Aston Villa Target Ligue 1 Goalkeepers Robin Risser and Guillaume Restes as Emiliano Martinez Exit Looms
Ben McAleer
Aston Villa have turned their attention to Ligue 1 in their quest to land a replacement for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, reports French publication Foot Mercato.
2022 World Cup winner Martinez is expected to leave the Villans this summer having come close to a Villa Park departure last year.
The Argentine was reportedly on the cusp of a move to Manchester United, who instead turned their attention to Belgian Senne Lammens.
Martinez key for Villa
Martinez ultimately remained in the Midlands and has been a key player in Villa's bid for a Champions League finish and a Europa League triumph.
Villa overcame Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals of the Europa League to set up a showdown with German side Freiburg later this month.
Martinez has the perfect chance to bow out from Villa Park on a high, with a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia a possibility.
Unai Emery’s side had been credited with an interest in Manchester City’s James Trafford but appear to be considering dipping into the Ligue 1 market for a Martinez replacement.
Risser and Restes wanted by Villans
Lens shotstopper Robin Risser and Toulouse youngster Guillaume Restes now reportedly feature high on Villa’s wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
Risser has been instrumental in Lens’ surprise Ligue 1 title push and they could close the gap to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain to just three points with a win over the Parisian powerhouse on Wednesday night.
Villa aren’t the only side to have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, with Tottenham and Newcastle both said to be monitoring the Frenchman.
In addition, Risser, who only joined from Strasbourg last summer, has hinted he is not pushing for a Lens exit, recently saying: “I don’t think I’ve reached the end of my journey here.”
Toulouse, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations this season and find themselves 10th with a solid defensive record ahead of the final weekend of the campaign, with Restes key.
The French outfit would be reluctant to cash in on the 21-year-old, who has been a first-team regular for Toulouse since breaking into the side in 2023.
