Emi Martinez admits he’d take a pay cut for Aston Villa to sign 20-goal man
Emiliano Martinez has admitted that he would take a pay cut in order for Lionel Messi to join Aston Villa.
The Argentina international is close friends with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, after winning the Copa America and also the World Cup alongside someone widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
Now, Emiliano Martinez has issued a plea to Lionel Messi for the South American to join him at Aston Villa.
What’s the story?
Well, this would be one of the most remarkable transfers ever if it materialised.
Messi is enduring a difficult time at Paris Saint-Germain despite scoring 20 goals and providing 20 assists in just 39 appearances this season, with supporters whistling and booing the 35-year-old for a perceived lack of effort.
Speaking to ESPN about his fellow countryman’s problems in Paris, Martinez said: “If they are whistling Messi, I would bring him here at Villa. Hey, man, we’ll drink mate, we eat asados every week. I will cut my salary, we’ll do our best.”
While a move to the Midlands seems unlikely for Messi, the Rosario-born phenomenon does have a decision to make.
The PSG No.30’s contract expires at the end of June, and Sky Sports believe the French giants will not be offering him a new deal.
There have been strong rumours of a reunion between Barcelona and Messi, although a lot will depend on whether the Spanish champions have enough financial wriggle-room to complete a deal.
Imagine Lionel Messi at Aston Villa
Some Aston Villa fans were overjoyed to see Philippe Coutinho join the club last season, so just imagine how excited the Villa Park faithful would be to see Messi in the Midlands.
Even at the age of 35, the little Argentine is putting up numbers most forwards in their prime would be proud of, and he clearly still has the ability to dictate games of the highest quality as seen at the World Cup.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Messi is yet to publicly respond to Martinez after his plea.
