Manchester United’s frantic deadline day is set to be dominated by two names – Emi Martinez and Senne Lammens, but a third player controls it all.
The goalkeeping situation is in need of urgent addressing, with Senne Lammens and Emi Martinez the two names Man Utd will have to choose from.
Senne Lammens looked close at one point, but the deal for Martinez moved quickly once United revived their interest.
Amid the difficult choice between two, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the final decision might not be in United’s hands after all.
Jadon Sancho in Manchester United shirt
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Emi Martinez transfer hinges on Jadon Sancho
It is a cruel irony for Man Utd that the man whom they have tried to shift all summer could end up holding the keys to solving their biggest problem position.
Fabrizio Romano reports that United are working on deals for both Emi Martinez and Lammens, but the deal for the Aston Villa goalkeeper hinges on one thing.
Villa are in talks with United for Jadon Sancho, and it is understood that for Martinez to come to Old Trafford, Sancho would have to agree to move to Villa on a loan deal.
🚨 Man United are working on both Senne Lammens and Dibu Martínez deals.
Only one will join #MUFC but Martínez depends on Sancho included in talks with Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Lammens deal remains on with 9 hours to go. pic.twitter.com/ZBxbfqLD7m
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2025
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That complicates matters quite a lot, because Sancho has rejected offers from clubs more prestigious than Villa in this window already.
The optimistic view is that Villa are one of the few clubs who can pay his salary, which seems to be Sancho’s main motivation these days.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Sancho is on the verge of an agreement to join Aston Villa on a season-long loan, which means Martinez to Utd might have received a huge boost.
Still, United won’t like that the keys to getting Martinez are in the hands of a player who shouldn’t even be at the club right now.
Man Utd need to sort a goalkeeper either way
It’s not an ideal situation for anyone involved, because it causes uncertainty for Lammens and Martinez, and throws doubts over Andre Onana’s future.
The only party this doesn’t affect much is Jadon Sancho, who seems happy to sit and collect his weekly wage at United before a potential free transfer next summer.
Either way, the club can’t afford to get held up by the whims and fancies of one player.
If Sancho shows hesitation about a move to Villa, they need to be proactive and go all-in for Lammens immediately.
That scenario is not beyond possibility because United accepted an offer from Roma as well before Sancho changed his mind.
The hold-up over the asking price shouldn’t be an issue anymore after sanctioning multiple sales, even if Martinez is the preferred target.
Sancho holds the key, but United need to force the final outcome.