Juventus have been forced into a dramatic rethink of their goalkeeping plans after Liverpool flatly refused to entertain any proposal for Alisson Beck...
Juventus have been forced into a dramatic rethink of their goalkeeping plans after Liverpool flatly refused to entertain any proposal for Alisson Becker. The Bianconeri, desperate for a commanding presence between the posts, had made the Brazilian their primary target. But as GoalZaza first indicated, the Serie A giants were always facing an uphill battle, and now they have moved on.The new man in their sights Emiliano Martinez. The Aston Villa fan favourite and World Cup winner has emerged as the leading alternative. It is a switch that raises eyebrows. Martinez, for all his penalty saving heroics and that unforgettable Argentine triumph, is not a typical Juventus signing. He is 32 years old. He thrives on chaos and a siege mentality. But perhaps that is precisely what the Old Lady needs.Juventus have long been associated with a certain defensive solidity, a granite like assurance. But last season saw them leak goals at alarming moments. Their low block was porous, their transitional play sloppy. Martinez offers something different. He is a leader, a shithouser of the highest order, a man who can drag a backline through a storm. Liverpool shutting the door on Alisson may just have handed the Turin club a more aggressive, more vocal, and arguably more suitable solution for the battles ahead in Serie A.Aston Villa, however, will not roll over. Martinez is their talisman. Unai Emery has built a side that plays through pressure, and his goalkeeper is the starting point. Losing him would be a blow to the dressing room soul. The question is whether Juventus can offer a package that Villa cannot refuse, or whether this is a chase that will go right to the wire. One thing is certain. The transfer window just got a lot more interesting.
