Aston Villa Scouts Goalkeeper Replacements for ‘Dibu’ Martinez This Summer
Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez has been Aston Villa’s talisman since his 2020 arrival. His World Cup-winning displays cemented his reputation and influence.
Last May he staged a near-farewell. Interest from Manchester United and Inter Milan intensified thereafter. Villa face the real prospect of his exit by the end of the 2025/26 season.
Why Villa must prepare
The club needs to reduce its wage bill. Martínez is the highest earner at Villa Park. That financial pressure makes a sale increasingly likely.
Outside clubs tracked the goalkeeper closely. Manchester United reportedly pursued alternatives, while Atlético Madrid could not advance due to their focus on Jan Oblak. United ultimately moved for Senne Lammens instead, favouring youth and a lower fee.
Filmogaz.com understands Aston Villa scouts are compiling goalkeeper replacements for ‘Dibu’ Martinez ahead of this summer. The new No.1 must match Unai Emery’s high line and press.
Potential targets
James Trafford (Manchester City)
Trafford returned to Manchester City last summer for about £27 million. City initially envisaged him as a long-term successor to Ederson.
Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived and became the Premier League starter. Trafford has mainly featured in cup matches and as a deputy.
He is young, has clear potential, and would likely cost less in wages than Martínez. Offering him a starting role and Champions League football could be persuasive.
Diogo Costa (Porto)
Diogo Costa, 26, developed at Porto after joining as a child. He has been Porto’s first-choice goalkeeper for roughly five seasons.
He signed a new deal that runs until 2030. Porto’s reported release clause sits near €60 million, about £51.9 million.
Costa brings proven domestic success and strong shot-stopping. He could slot into Emery’s system as a ready-made top-level option.
Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)
Andriy Lunin served as Real Madrid’s backup for several years. He stepped up when Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury in 2023/24.
Lunin helped Madrid secure La Liga and Champions League titles that season. He finished third in the 2024 Yashin Trophy voting behind Unai Simón and Martínez.
His new contract, signed in September 2024, keeps him tied to Real until 2030. But a starting role elsewhere would likely interest him, and his wages would be manageable.
Elia Caprile (Cagliari)
Elia Caprile is 24 and has emerged at Cagliari after a series of loans. He joined Leeds’ academy at 18 but left without a first-team appearance.
Caprile moved to Napoli in 2023 and spent further time out on loan. A loan move to Cagliari became permanent last summer and he has been their starter this season.
Recruiters may question whether he is ready for Champions League-level pressure. He nonetheless represents a lower-cost, high-upside option.
What Villa must prioritise
Replacing Martínez is a technical and emotional challenge. He is both a world-class goalkeeper and a dressing-room presence.
Any successor must suit Emery’s high defensive line. Villa need a keeper who commands his box, plays from the back, and thrives under pressure.
Filmogaz.com will continue monitoring developments as Villa weigh financial constraints and sporting ambitions. Identifying the right successor now could secure continuity rather than trigger regression.
