Manchester United are exploring a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, talkSPORT understands.
A deal for the Argentine World Cup winner is dependent on United's ongoing pursuit of Royal Antwerp stopper Senne Lammens.
Martinez looked set to leave Villa at the end of last season but he's still up for grabs
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Martinez looked set to leave Villa at the end of last season but he's still up for grabsCredit: Getty
The Red Devils do not plan to sign both.
United have been plagued by bad performances in goal for much of Ruben Amorim’s tenure.
Altay Bayindir was at fault for Riccardo Calafiori’s matchwinner in their opening game of the season, while Andre Onana was the face of humiliation against League Two side Grimsby in the Carabao Cup second round.
Martinez, meanwhile, played a key role in getting Villa back into the Champions League and then to the quarter-finals, while he’s become Argentina’s undisputed No.1 in their new era of dominance.
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The 32-year-old has backstopped the Albiceleste to back-to-back Copa America wins, either side of starring in their 2022 World Cup triumph.
Such success brought Martinez two Yashin Trophies, the premier individual award for goalkeepers handed out at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Those achievements clearly heightened his ambitions, with the shot-stopper bidding a teary farewell to Villa fans at the end of the 2024/25 season following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Yet a back into Europe’s top tier competition didn’t materialise, and the lure of United’s stature as one of the world’s biggest sports teams may instead suffice.
United earlier looked to have found a solution in the shape of Antwerp's Lammens, but that deal appears to be no closer to a resolution.
The 23-year-old has been left out of his team's last two league matches amid speculation over an Old Trafford switch.
Lammens was initially seen as competition for Onana
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Lammens was initially seen as competition for OnanaCredit: Getty
Both Onana and Bayindir don't look up for the job as United's No.1
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Both Onana and Bayindir don't look up for the job as United's No.1Credit: Getty
talkSPORT first reported Manchester United's interest in Lammens in July with a fee of £17million quoted.
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However, he was initially seen as a back-up option to Onana, a role that may have been reconsidered after the Cameroonian's horror start.
Onana was at fault for both goals in United's 2-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby which was decided on penalties where he also failed to make multiple saves despite getting a glove on the ball.