Juventus’ €12 million impasse pushes Martinez to Tottenham, Freiburg

A stalemate with Aston Villa over the €12 million fee for Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has left Juventus in limbo, while the Old Lady is already eyeing two alternatives – Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur and Noah Atubolu of SC Freiburg – as potential replacements. The Bianconeri see the fee impasse as a critical obstacle to securing the World Cup runner‑up for the upcoming season.

Juventus have been keen to upgrade their goalkeeping department after an uninspiring 2025‑26 campaign with Michele Di Gregorio between the posts. The club’s assessment of Di Gregorio’s performances has driven the search for a more reliable first‑choice keeper.

For several weeks, World Cup runner‑up Dibu Martinez has been Juventus’ first‑choice keeper. His presence has provided stability while the transfer negotiations remain unresolved.

Despite an agreement in principle on personal terms with Martinez, Juventus have been unable to settle a transfer fee with Aston Villa. The Premier League side insists on a minimum €12 million for the 33‑year‑old, a demand Juventus are reportedly unwilling to meet.

Martinez reached the World Cup final with Argentina and is expected to receive an extended break, making a return to Aston Villa training unlikely for weeks. La dello Sport suggests his own persuasion could still convince Villa to accept a Turin bid once he finishes his international duties.

Juventus chief executive Giovanni Carnevali is now re‑evaluating the potential signing of Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur. Vicario represents a domestic league alternative should the Villa deal collapse.

The other name that surfaced on Wednesday is 24‑year‑old Noah Atubolu, who is in the final year of his contract with SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga. Atubolu provides another option for the Old Lady as they search for a new goalkeeper.

Zion Suzuki from Parma and Napoli’s Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic have also been mentioned as possible backups. These additional targets underline Juventus’ desire to have depth in the position.

The contrast between a stalled high‑profile transfer and the emergence of these alternatives highlights Juventus’ urgent need to resolve their goalkeeping situation before the new season. Failure to reach an agreement could force the Bianconeri to rely on secondary options.