‘I will cut my salary’ – Emiliano Martinez jokes he will try to tempt Lionel Messi into Aston Villa transfer

Emiliano Martinez has joked he will tempt Lionel Messi into joining Aston Villa by making roast dinners for him every weekend.

And the 30-year-old goalkeeper has even stated he would take a pay cut if it meant being able to afford his Argentine compatriot's hefty wages.

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Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi is expected to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer when his contract expires.

His relationship with the Les Parisiens faithful has soured in recent weeks, with fans booing and whistling him following his suspension for an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

A move to the Gulf nation to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr has been mooted, while he also also been heavily linked with an emotional return to Barcelona.

Blaugrana striker Robert Lewandowski talked up the possibility of the transfer as he urged the club to bring Messi back.

But he isn't the only person who dreams of playing alongside Messi at club level, as Martinez claimed he is looking to persuade the global icon to make the move to the Midlands.

Martinez, who won the World Cup with Messi in December, told ESPN: "If they are whistling Messi, I would bring him here... at Villa.

"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 cut my salary for Messi if necessary. We will do everything possible."

Though it remains to be seen whether Martinez will be at Villa Park next season with the shot-stopper attracting interest from Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United.

But he could be convinced to stay on should Villa secure a return to Europe.

A win against Brighton on Sunday would guarantee Unai Emery's side a top seven finish where they would likely qualify for the Europa Conference League.