Sports
Aston Villa seriously considering move for Ter Stegen, Emery personally keen
Aston Villa are now seriously considering making a move for a Barcelona player in the upcoming transfer window, with Unai Emery personally keen.
Villa on track to compete for the Premier League title
Having won 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches, Villa are on course to compete for the title, and they will have the opportunity to reduce the gap to Manchester City to just three points when they take on Manchester United at Villa Park this afternoon.
However, Emery has stressed how important it is for his side not to get ahead of themselves, saying: “We are performing very well, we are competing very well and we are now third. This is the reality.
“But to feel favourites, to really think we can win the Premier League, our objective is to try to be consistent and to try to be very, very demanding. And through it, being humble.”
One of the Villans’ key players has been Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentinian goalkeeper keeping four clean sheets in his last eight matches in all competitions, most recently making two saves from inside the box in the 2-1 victory against Arsenal.
However, last month there were reports suggesting Aston Villa could be open to January bids for Martinez, who is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
As such, Villa may need to bring in a replacement next month, and they are now seriously considering a move for Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, according to a report from Spain, which states Emery is personally keen on signing the goalkeeper.
Ter Stegen leaving the La Liga giants in January is now considered a ‘real possibility’, given that the £281k-a-week shot-stopper has fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou.
Aston Villa now looking at signing Tottenham star after pre-agreed January deal
The Villans could be more active next month.
“World-class” Ter Stegen could be solid Martinez replacement
Journalist Graeme Bailey has made it clear he believes Premier League clubs should look to sign the 33-year-old next month, saying: “Ter Stegen is world-class, and if there is a chance to bolster your ranks with a player of this calibre for the second half of the season, I think he is a fascinating option for a number of sides in January.”
Although the 33-year-old has now fallen behind Joan Garcia in the pecking order at Barcelona, he has proven himself as a top-level goalkeeper in the past, keeping a whopping 26 clean sheets as his side won the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season.
The 44-time Germany international also has plenty of experience at the highest level, having made 85 Champions League appearances since signing for the Spanish club, during which time he has produced some fantastic saves.
That said, given his age, Ter Stegen is unlikely to be a long-term replacement for Martinez, and Aston Villa shouldn’t even try to sign a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window, in light of Martinez’s fine form.
