Manchester United’s prospects of signing Emiliano Martinez have gained momentum this summer, as Aston Villa edges closer to announcing a new goalkeeper acquisition, suggest reports.
Following a dismal Premier League campaign that saw Amorim’s squad languish in 15th place, the Red Devils missed out on European football. Their woes compounded with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, dashing any hopes of securing a Champions League berth next season.
Despite the setbacks, INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are standing by Amorim, committing to bolstering their transfer kitty to enable him to instill his brand of football at Old Trafford. In their quest to revamp the squad, United have already secured the services of Wolves’ forward Matheus Cunha for £62.5m, while negotiations continue for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
Among the multiple areas demanding attention, the goalkeeping position stands out. Andre Onana, currently manning the United goalposts, has faced heavy criticism throughout the season. Speculations have emerged that Amorim is eager to replace Onana as part of his summer overhaul.
The Argentine international Martinez has emerged as a prime candidate for United. His emotional farewell, alongside Leon Bailey, following Villa’s 2-0 triumph over Tottenham, has fuelled rumours of potential exits for the duo.
In his comments, Villa’s manager Unai Emery refrained from quelling the speculation, stating: “Of course, it is the last match [of the season] here, and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but at the moment, they are responding very well.”
With the Daily Mirror reporting Villa’s pursuit of Dutch stopper Marco Bizot from Brest, the exit door might indeed be opening for Martinez. Bizot’s desire to test himself in the Premier League aligns with Emery’s hunt for goalkeeping reinforcements amidst uncertainty surrounding Martinez’s future. United appear to be positioning themselves as viable suitors for the Argentine stalwart.
READ MORE FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS: