Manchester United-linked Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is expected to depart his current club after bidding an emotional farewell at the end of last season.
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez. (Image: PA)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has reportedly "offered his services" to Manchester United this summer, amid continued speculation around his future.
The Argentina stopper was not expected to leave Villa Park this summer, until he bid an emotional farewell to the club's fans following their victory against Tottenham Hotspur in their last home game of the season. The following week, Unai Emery insisted at Old Trafford that Martinez would not be playing his last game for Villa against United.
Subsequently, Martinez was sent off in the first half after wiping out Rasmus Hojlund outside the penalty area and denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Since that last match, speculation has been building surrounding the goalkeeper's future.
United are claimed to be the frontrunners to sign Martinez should he leave the West Midlands. The Manchester Evening News understands Andre Onana is not expected to leave United and Tom Heaton has agreed a contract extension, meaning that Altay Bayindir would likely be departing if the World Cup winner was to arrive.
According to GiveMeSport, this is a prospect that Martinez is open to with the 32-year-old having reportedly "offered himself" to Ruben Amorim. Should United wish to snap him up, though, it would come at a hefty cost.
Villa hold all the cards in terms of negotiations with Martinez still under contract until 2029. As such, the West Midlands club would demand £40million from United for his signature.
While Villa would reportedly be reluctant to sell their current first choice stopper, there is a scenario where they would be open to letting him depart. It is claimed the club still hold concerns about their Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) position currently - and would sell Martinez if it meant strengthening their financial position.
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