The latest Manchester United news amid continued speculation around Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez
Emi Martinez while on Argentina duty
Manchester United have been linked with a swoop for Emi Martinez from Aston Villa
(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
Manchester United have been handed an inadvertent boost in their mooted pursuit for Emi Martinez.
Speculation around the Aston Villa goalkeeper and his future remains at fever pitch this summer. Several reports have underlined Martinez, 32, as a potential replacement for Andre Onana.
The Manchester Evening News understands Onana is expected to stay put this summer. However, after making a few high-profile mistakes at Old Trafford and beyond, signing a new first-choice goalkeeper has been tipped.
And that's where Martinez enters. The former Arsenal stopper - who has 52 senior international caps to his name - has been a mainstay for Villa since moving to Villa Park from north London in 2020.
Over that time, he has been crowned a World Cup winner and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. A new venture could now be in the offing for Martinez, though, as per several reports this summer.
Earmarked as a potential target for United this summer, he's also thought to have admirers in Saudi Arabia with a lucrative move to the Gulf state on the cards. A transfer fee around £30-40 million has been suggested.
Martinez himself is said to be "open" to a move to Old Trafford. And now United have seemingly been advised on why they might have the advantage in any transfer battle.
Reports from The Mirror indicate United forward Alejandro Garnacho - subject to paper talk himself this summer - has told friends and family that key figures in the Argentina national team camp have advised him to seek a move to one of the stronger European leagues this summer in the event he departs Old Trafford.
Garnacho, too, has mooted interest from Saudi Arabia but, in outlining the above, sources close to the player are mindful that playing in a less competitive division might hamper his chances of selection for next summer's World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
That seemingly would be the case for Martinez, as well, even though he's well-established between the posts as not only a World Cup winner, but a veteran of 50-plus senior caps.
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