Manchester United are preparing a surprise £40million swoop for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The Red Devils had previously passed up the opportunity to sign the Argentina international earlier in the summer, deeming the move too costly when his £200,000-a-week wages were factored in. Instead, United turned their attention to Royal Antwerp's highly sought-after young keeper Senne Lammens after outbidding several top European rivals for his £20m signature.
It was expected that Lammens would be signed before Monday evening's transfer deadline. The 23-year-old is viewed as the successor to Thibaut Courtois as Belgium's No 1. However, United now look ready to approve an expensive short-term solution with Martinez rather than planning for the future.
Martinez, who turns 33 on Tuesday, has been seen as a risky investment due to his age and volatile temperament, prompting Villa to consider cashing in.
United believe that signing the former Arsenal keeper is a risk they must take, despite the club already flirting with PSR issues having spent over £200m on new signings this summer.
Ruben Amorim reportedly lacks faith in Andre Onana or Turkish back-up Altay Bayindir. Onana was dropped from United's team for the 3-2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford following a shaky performance in the shock Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby in midweek.
Bayindir, who was responsible for Fulham's leveller in a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last week, made another blunder when the Clarets equalised for a second time on Saturday.
Intriguingly, Villa are themselves attempting a last-minute transfer deadline dash to sign West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta to the West Midlands. Despite Unai Emery's efforts to bolster his squad, financial fair play restrictions have hindered Villa from making the additions the Spaniard desires.
However, having already profited from the sale of homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, offloading Martinez in the next 36 hours will provide them with some financial leeway moving forward, even as they aim to secure Paqueta.
They have been negotiating a loan deal with a £50m obligation to buy next summer and while the Brazilian international is eager for the move, West Ham are not satisfied with the current terms.
If Villa could offer more cash upfront and make the transfer immediate, it would be beneficial.
A new goalkeeper is also likely to join, although Emery might be content to let veteran stopper Marco Bizot take charge until January if they can't secure their preferred replacement for Martinez.
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