The World Cup winning keeper's departure isn't guaranteed yet
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa acknowledges the fans
The World Cup winning keeper's departure isn't guaranteed yet(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez's apparent move to Manchester United could be in doubt as the Old Trafford club has agreed personal terms with another target.
Two-time Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper Martinez was left out of Sunday's matchday squad against Crystal Palace on Sunday (August 31) after reports of United's interest in signing the Argentine emerged.
Marco Bizot took his place as the side was thrashed 3-0 by visiting Palace, who were captained by Marc Guehi, who has been the subject of plenty of transfer speculation himself.
Martinez appeared to bid an emotional farewell to fans at the end of last season, waving to the stands with tears in his eyes as many expected his four-year stay at Villa Park to come to an end.
But, no deal has materialised over the summer, and Martinez returned to the net in a 1-0 loss to Brentford in the second game of the season, after Bizot started the opening 0-0 draw against Newcastle.
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa acknowledges the fans
Martinez appeared to bid farewell to fans at the final home game of last season.(Image: Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
The World Cup winner signed a five-year deal last August that runs until the summer of 2029.
Manchester United reportedly enquired about Villa's number one earlier in the summer but have not followed up on this interest until the final days of the transfer window, following disastrous starts for both their goalkeepers, Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır.
While a move to Old Trafford is on the cards for Martinez, United have continued to explore other options, chiefly Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens, and there has been a breakthrough.
Both United and Lammens have agreed on personal terms, meaning the 23-year-old shotstopper has given the green light to travel to Manchester and complete a medical if a fee is decided upon by both United and Antwerp.
To complicate matters further, the Villans are understood to have identified Lammens as a replacement for Martinez, if he is to leave.
Senne Lammens
Senne Lammens is wanted by both Villa and United.(Image: 2024 BSR Agency)
The six-foot-three-inch Belgian is valued at around £22million and is thought to favour a move to Manchester over Birmingham.
Unai Emery confirmed after Sunday's loss to Palace, which brought an end to an 18-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League, that the speculation was hindering his side.
"It is not helping us. One of the circumstances not helping," Emery said post-match, adding, "We will see how we close the transfer window. We have a lot of circumstances that are not helping us be mentally like we were last year."
The manager explained that "We need the players focused and 100 per cent. He wasn't," when asked why Martinez had not started the game.
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