Manchester United are considering a shock return for Emiliano Martinez – but will have to fight off a European giant to sign the Aston Villa goalkeeper, with an exorbitant price tag set, according to the latest report.
Young Over Old
The Red Devils were strongly linked with a move for Martinez last summer, with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim pushing for the 33-year-old shot stopper to be signed.
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The erratic performances of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir last season convinced the Portuguese coach that a new No.1 had to arrive if the new campaign was to be a success.
However, INEOS were unconvinced by the prospect of signing an ageing goalkeeper for a big fee with even bigger wages, despite his strong CV. At this point in the summer, Martinez was the vice-captain at Villa Park and a key part of the Argentina national team, whom he helped propel to a World Cup triumph in 2022.
His experience, both within the Premier League and in football’s elite tournaments, was considerable, while his confident, bordering on arrogant, personality was seen by Amorim as the exact injection needed in the United dressing room. But Martinez’s 2024/25 campaign was poor, plagued by a number of costly errors, and there was a sense amongst the Old Trafford hierarchy that this signing would replicate the mistakes of the past.
Instead, INEOS pursued a deal for Royal Antwerp’s rising star, Senne Lammens, at the recommendation of goalkeeping scout Tony Coton, who had been championing the 23-year-old Belgian as a target for the past 18 months.
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Lammens was signed on deadline day for £18.2 million, while a pursuit of Martinez never materialised, despite the Argentine actively pushing for an exit from Villa Park, which led to him being stripped of the vice-captaincy.
The way in which Lammens has performed this season since taking over from Bayindir in October has resoundingly justified INEOS – and, by extension, Coton – in their decision.
Once Bitten, Not Shy
However, Caught Offside now reveals the Red Devils are “once again exploring the possibility” of signing Martinez, with a Spanish report claiming there is “strong interest” in a deal this summer.
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United have been “reassessing” their goalkeeping department with concerns over the depth behind Lammens, even if there is widespread happiness with the Belgium international’s progress this season.
Bayindir remains an erratic back-up, while Tom Heaton is more of a coach than a player at Old Trafford at this late stage of the 39-year-old’s storied career. Onana is currently on loan with Turkish side Trabzonspor, but will be sold this summer.
Radek Vitek is seriously impressing for Bristol City in the Championship with a series of match-winning displays. There is excitement at United about the Czech’s development, though there would be concern over the prospect of a 22-year-old goalkeeper playing second fiddle to a 23-year-old – both from a developmental perspective and an experience one.
This has led United to reconsider Martinez as an option, with the recruitment department settling on the 33-year-old “one of the best options on their shortlist.”
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However, Villa are demanding a fee in the region of £40m to lure their goalkeeper away from Birmingham – a prohibitive price for a back-up.
Caught Offside contends Unai Emery’s side would need to be “willing to negotiate” with their domestic rival for a deal to progress, with the financial situation at Villa Park a precarious one.
There is understood to be interest from Inter Milan, who have also been linked with a move to bring Onana back to the San Siro, adding another layer of complexity to a transfer saga which feels as if it is only just getting started.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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