Manchester United are poised to sign a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
The Red Devils have had a mixed start to the Premier League campaign and may target a couple of signings before the transfer deadline.
A new shot-stopper appears essential with Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana making errors this term.
Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens has been heavily linked, but United are now exploring a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Talks have been progressing for Lammens, but United want to be ready with an alternative solution, suppose transfer negotiations were to collapse for the former.
A new approach has taken place with Martinez and his camp.
United signing Martinez would be a surprise
The Red Devils clearly need a new shot-stopper with the shortcomings of Bayindir and Onana.
Martinez has vast Premier League experience and has excelled over the years with his superb reflexes.
The World Cup winner has the tendency to make errors, but overall, he would be an upgrade on the United duo.
Still, the transfer interest comes as a surprise, given Martinez is almost 33 years of age and could be past his prime soon.
Furthermore, Villa are unlikely to sanction a straight loan and have already turned down such an approach from United.
The Midlands outfit value their vice-captain at £40 million, and have no plans of accepting anything less for his services.
With the transfer deadline on Monday, we won’t be surprised if Villa resist the prospect of parting ways with the former Arsenal man.
In our view, it could be a step from United to speed up negotiations for Lammens instead.
Antwerp are reluctant to sanction his sale for less than £21.6m amid speculation that Galatasaray are also interested in signing him.
The Belgian outfit are keen to sell the 23-year-old, having already found a successor in the squad.
It remains to be seen whether the fresh speculation regarding Martinez paves the way for the club to finally sign Lammens.