'I'd make roasts for him every weekend and cut my salary!': Emiliano Martinez jokes about sacrifices he would make to lure Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi to Aston Villa
- The Aston Villa stopper has made a bold claim ahead of the transfer window
- Martinez called for his compatriot, Messi, to move to the Premier League side
- Messi has been rumoured to leave French giants PSG for free in the summer
Emiliano Martinez has joked that he will try to persuade Lionel Messi to join Aston Villa and would even consider reducing his salary to do so.
Messi is set to leave Paris St Germain at the end of the season and there is little chance of him moving to the Premier League given his age and salary expectations, but Martinez claims he would try anything to do so.
The pair were crucial members of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in Qatar last winter and Martinez has made a light-hearted bid to turn Messi's head.
'I would bring him to Aston Villa, Martinez smiled. 'I would tempt him with a mate (a South American drink), I'd make roasts for him every weekend, I'd ask people to make little flags for him and he has a good time.
'I will reduce my salary for Messi if necessary.'
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a bold claim during a recent ESPN interview
The Argentina stopper called for national team-mate Messi to make a sensational Villa switch
Messi has a huge offer to move to Saudi Arabia but Barcelona may also attempt to bring him back after losing the 35-year-old to PSG two years ago.
Although his personal output has been excellent, Messi has not managed to deliver the Champions League title PSG's Qatari owners crave.
Villa are not yet at that stage but will secure European football next season if they beat Brighton on Sunday.
Martinez told ESPN Argentina he still struggles to process defeat. He added: 'It has happened to me to lose a game, get home and not talk to anyone. It's hard to find that balance,' Martínez explained.
'Luckily, I have my wife and my children who help me calm down in those moments of anguish.
'I have cried for losing a game, I have laughed too much for winning a game. Accepting defeat is not in my blood.'
The Argentinian's future at PSG has been cast into doubt after being suspended for two weeks
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