Manchester United look set to advance plans to bolster the goalkeeping position this summer, with links heating up.
The number one position has always been an expected target this summer for Manchester United, with Andre Onana far from convincing in the role over the past 12 months.
As a result, Ineos will have been doing work around Europe to find the best goalkeepers available, in the event that the Cameroon international is sold. However, earlier this week, it was claimed United are likely to keep Onana.
Despite this claim, United are being linked with more goalkeepers than ever.
Ben Jacobs has suggested that Porto’s Diogo Costa is discussed within United as a potential option to revamp the goalkeeping position at the club.
However, it is Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez who has emerged as a serious goalkeeping target for United this summer. It is thought that United are planning a move for Martinez this summer, but now it may be about to accelerate.
Emiliano Martinez plays a pass while in green Argentina goalkeeper kit.
Photo by JAVIER TORRES/AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United to approach Aston Villa for Emiliano Martinez
Martinez is currently the world’s best goalkeeper, according to FIFA, and this summer has placed himself in the shop window at Aston Villa, seeking pastures new. This has attracted interest from all over, with United and Atletico Madrid two frontrunners.
Now, an update has been delivered by a reliable Argentine journalist, Uriel Lugt, who has claimed that United are advancing in discussions to sign Martinez from Villa.
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The World Cup winner is very open to joining the Red Devils, and he adds that United are expected to open talks with Villa over the next few days.
The links drawing Martinez to United have split fans; however, the majority have serious reservations, with the 32-year-old not a massive upgrade on Onana, and for the claimed price of £40m, it is a deal with disaster written all over it.
However, if United can get Villa down to £25m or so, it suddenly looks like a great move to see the club through the next few seasons before finding a young talent to take his place. The chances of this happening remain slim, though, with so much needing to fall into place. Hopefully, it is merely a smokescreen.
Links around Martinez are growing, and now, writing for Give Me Sport, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Martinez’s move to United depends on one major thing.
“It’s not something imminent or close at this stage, but the topic remains open depending on what’s going to happen with Andre Onana.
“United are not desperate to sell Onana, and that he’s still part of the project, also approved by Ruben Amorim. But in the case of a good proposal for all parties, he’d not be untouchable.
“The club is maintaining a close eye on opportunities for the goalkeeper position in case anything changes with regard to Onana’s future. United had positive feedback from Emiliano Martinez as a potential candidate for the goalkeeper position.
“Initial contacts took place, and the understanding is that Martinez would be open to joining United even without Champions League football, as he is ready for a new chapter in his career.
“The real key point now will be Man United, as their strategy on goalkeepers depends on Onana. One to watch in the next weeks, but for sure, Martinez would be ready to say yes.”