Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is unsurprisingly at the centre of transfer attention from one of Europe’s giants following his World Cup-winning campaign with Argentina. 

What's the word?

Having reached the pinnacle of footballing success at the tournament in Qatar, the 30-year-old has found himself on the Christmas wish list of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, according to French outlet Mediafoot. 

After signing for Villa from Arsenal in a £17m deal in 2020, Martinez has become a world and continental champion for his country, starring as first-choice 'keeper during both tournaments while also impressing for the Villans in the Premier League.

The likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus have also registered an interest across recent weeks, although Villa can rest easy in the knowledge that the player penned a new deal with his club earlier this year, securing his services until 2027. 

Keep at all costs

It would take an astronomical fee to prise Martinez away from the Midlands, with NSWE likely to demand a transfer fee far eclipsing what they paid to bring him to the club two years ago. 

After nearly a decade with the Gunners, Martinez joined Aston Villa having assumed a largely peripheral role across the majority of his senior career, but has since risen to prominence. 

Now managed by Unai Emery, Villa have reaped the rewards, with the Argentina hero an imposing last line of defence.

He has made 91 appearances for the club since his arrival in the Midlands, keeping 30 clean sheets and consequently earning a place within his national squad, now become arguably one of the most sought-after shot-stoppers in the game. 

In Qatar, the €25m-rated (£21.8m) star played all seven matches for his country, keeping three clean sheets, making a host of crucial saves throughout the competition and starring in two penalty shoot-outs, including the final.  

For Villa this season, as per Sofascore, Martinez has recorded a rating of 6.91 in the top flight, saving 69% of shots faced and keeping three clean sheets despite the dismal start to the campaign which saw the dismissal of Steven Gerrard and subsequent appointment of Emery.

Regarding the Bayern interest, it really would take a seismic bid for Villa to sanction the Argentine's departure, and unless something truly remarkable materialises, there is no logical explanation for allowing such a colossal player to leave.

There is still plenty left in the tank for this “unbelievable” ace - as heralded by team-mate Matty Cash - who could maintain his place between the sticks at Villa Park for years to come.

Having appointed Emery at the helm, who has won four European trophies, Villa must utilise the growing trophy-winning pedigree within their ranks to steer their own ship towards a first piece of silverware since the turn of the century.