Aspar targeting Aleix Espargaro for 2017 ride

Espargaro, who raced for Aspar in MotoGP in 2012-2013 and had two outings with its offshoot Balatonring Team in 250cc in 2009, currently partners Yamaha-bound Maverick Vinales at Suzuki.

However, with Suzuki opting to sign Andrea Iannone for 2017 and courting Moto2 star Alex Rins for its second bike, a frustrated Espargaro has been forced to look at other teams to continue his career.

Martinez told Motorsport.com: "I know Aleix well, he was with us in 250cc and MotoGP, and I love him as a person and a rider.

"Of course, we have talked to him and he's my first option."

Aspar currently fields two Ducati Desmosedici GP14s for Eugene Laverty and Yonny Hernandez, with the former sitting 10th in the MotoGP standings after the first six rounds of the season.

Espargaro "hurt" by Suzuki

Now seemingly resigned to losing his Suzuki factory ride, Espargaro admitted he was upset at the prospect of being shown the door by the Japanese marque after two seasons.

"I'm more sad than angry with Suzuki," Espargaro said. "Two years ago the bike was nowhere. They worked a lot, but so did I.

"I will always be thankful, what they have given me is spectacular - the chance to be a works rider for the first time, to be able to develop a bike that wasn't working. The salary, the treatment, and all that.

"But yes, I'm hurt. It's not up to me, I can't do anything. Suzuki is a very big company and I don't know what part decided to start a project with a younger rider.

"They haven't given me a lot of explanations, but the feeling that I have is that they haven't valued my work and that's frustrating.

"As Maverick said, if I hadn't developed the bike last year, he wouldn't be where he is now. It's an honour that a rider who has signed with Yamaha says that, and that makes me even more sad."

Options at Aprilia and in WSBK

Espargaro also confirmed that he has a number of other options for 2017, including a ride with the factory Aprilia MotoGP team and a switch to World Superbikes.

He said: "Aprilia is a very good option, I don't think it's such as bad bike as people say. We also have some satellite teams who are interested.

"And [I have] two very good options in Superbikes, which I'm considering a lot more than people think. The most important thing is to go somewhere where I feel they want me, to be happy."

The Spaniard added: "There's only one factory ride left [in MotoGP], because to me the Suzuki is locked. I have to wait for the works teams to confirm their riders and then we'll play our cards."

Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont