Transfer Talk: Villa Pick their Martinez replacement

Aston Villa will move for Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford if they lose World Cup-winning stopper Emi Martinez.

The West Midlands outfit are readying themselves for an influx of January interest in their current No1, with 30-year-old Martinez one of Argentina's standout performers in Qatar.

His penalty-saving exploits against both the Netherlands and France received global acclaim and German giants Bayern Munich are one of several clubs said to be monitoring his availability.

Villa would love to retain Martinez but are expecting offers this month — and The Sun say Toffees stopper Pickford is top of their list of potential replacements.

Sunderland-born Pickford, 28, has been with Everton since 2017 and has kept an impressive 57 clean sheets in 215 outings during a testing period on the blue half of Merseyside.

Having faced plenty of scrutiny early in his career, the Three Lions regular has excelled for both club and country in recent times and is one of Gareth Southgate's most trusted stars. 

Pickford's current contract at Goodison Park expires next summer and terms over an extension are yet to be agreed, suggesting a move is not out of the question.

Considering he cost Everton £25million, losing the custodian on a free would be disastrous for the Premier League battlers. 

He played a pivotal role as Frank Lampard’s men earned a crucial point away to Manchester City on New Year's Eve as they moved two points clear of the relegation zone.

In other news

Reports in Spain suggest Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Benfica's 21-year-old World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The father of Borussia Dortmund teen ace Jude Bellingham wants his son to snub Real Madrid and Manchester City to join Liverpool, according to Football Insider.

GiveMeSport claim Joao Felix is interested in a move to Manchester United, with the 23-year-old thought to be unsettled at Atletico Madrid.