Emiliano Martinez Reveals Cheeky Plan to Lure Messi to Aston Villa

• Emiliano Martinez has sent Lionel Messi a cheeky invite to Aston Villa
• Messi is rumoured to be on the verge of an exit from Parc des Princes in the summer
• His future remains uncertain, but Barcelona are reportedly keen on re-signing the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner

Emiliano Martinez has cheekily declared he will make an attempt to lure Lionel Messi to Aston Villa, and is willing to slash his wages for his international teammate.

Messi’s contract with PSG is running down, and as it stands, he will become a free agent when the season comes to a close.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been linked with various moves, including a return to Barcelona, a club he left in 2021.

The Major League Soccer and Middle East are also plausible destinations for Messi, but his fellow countryman Emiliano Martinez wants to take his chances in trying to convince Messi to join Aston Villa.

Villa have had an impressive resurgence under Unai Emery since the Spaniard took charge of the club in November 2022, currently sitting seventh on the log with a genuine shot at qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

While speaking to ESPN, Martinez, who was instrumental in Argentina’s World Cup glory in 2022, said as quoted on GOAL:

“If Leo is whistled, I would bring him to Aston Villa. I will bait him with mate, I will make roasts for him every weekend, I ask people to make little flags for him and he has a good time. I will cut my salary for Messi if necessary.”

Villa’s ambitious moves

Because of their high chances of qualifying for Europe, Villa are reportedly willing to break the bank in expenditure in the summer transfer window.

The West Midlands club is interested in Real Madrid duo of Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos, two starst who could be available in the summer, as per Football Espana.

Arteta adds Man City midfielder to wishlist

Sports Brief also reported on Mikel Arteta’s desire to bring in Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan to the club.

The 33-year-old German is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium in June, and is yet to reach an agreement over a new one amid reports he will leave the club, with Barcelona a likely destination.

Declan Rice and Chelsea star Mason Mount are other candidates the league runners-up are ready to sign to their midfield, with both players having one year left on their contracts.