Aston Villa will reportedly look to sign 25-year-old Polish international Marcin Bulka from Ligue 1 club OGC Nice to replace Emiliano Martinez in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Marcin Bulka is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are scouring the market for a goalkeeper amid uncertainties around Emiliano Martinez’s long-term future. So, the 25-year-old OGC Nice shot-stopper has emerged as a target for the West Midlands club.

Marcin Bulka and his career-changing move

Marcin Bulka has resurrected his stuttering fortunes since joining OGC Nice from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2022. A native of Plock, the Pole spent most of his formative years in his homeland but graduated from the fabled youth division at Chelsea. However, he could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.

Paris Saint-Germain then signed the 25-year-old from Chelsea in July 2019, but regular game time eluded him. However, Bulka has landed on his feet at OGC Nice, with his exploits between the sticks making him one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1 in the last three years.

The Polish international has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for OGC Nice while keeping 30 clean sheets and conceding 97 goals. Meanwhile, Bulka’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Aston Villa will aim to beat the competition to his signature in the summer transfer window.

England return on the horizon?

Aston Villa’s interest in Marcin Bulka is understandable. The Villans are preparing for life after Emiliano Martinez, with the Argentine international expected to depart from Villa Park in the summer transfer window. While it is unclear where the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner will land, he is a target for Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Saudi Pro League clubs.

So, several goalkeepers, including Joan Garcia, have emerged on Aston Villa’s radar. However, with the Spanish stopper closing in on joining Barcelona, the Villans have identified Bulka as the alternative. So, the 25-year-old Pole is the top target to replace Emiliano Martinez at the West Midlands club.

Meanwhile, OGC Nice will pursue Chelsea outcast Djordje Petrovic if they part ways with Bulka, suggesting a deal may be on the cards. It will be interesting to see if the Polish international returns to England after half a dozen years by joining Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.