Emiliano Martinez wanted a move to Manchester United from Aston Villa and spent deadline day waiting for the move, it has been revealed.
Manchester United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead of Emi Martinez, who instead will remain at Aston Villa.
Lammens is a young lad with lots of potential, but Martinez is one of the world’s best shot-stoppers. It was a tough decision to make for Ruben Amorim.
Emiliano Martinez in action for Aston Villa in the Premier League
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
And it was a decision that would have upset Martinez, with the Aston Villa goalkeeper spending his deadline day waiting for the Red Devils move to materialise.
How Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez spent deadline day amid Man United interest
The Athletic revealed that Emi Martinez was actually waiting for the Manchester United move to happen all day.
The report states that Martinez spent transfer deadline day at Aston Villa’s training ground hoping for a move to Manchester United, which never materialised.
Despite his interest and efforts, including enlisting Argentina teammate Lisandro Martinez and speaking with United’s manager Ruben Amorim, no formal deal was made until a late loan enquiry, which did not progress.
Emiliano Martinez spent transfer deadline day at Aston Villa’s training ground, Bodymoor Heath, waiting for a call about a move to Manchester United that never came.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper had made little secret of his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer and even… pic.twitter.com/xBSwCNjZSH
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) September 1, 2025
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United instead signed Senne Lammens. Martinez eventually left Villa to join Argentina’s squad for World Cup qualifiers.
The Argentine was waiting for a call that never came – and he was seemingly desperate to join Manchester United. What a shame.
Will United regret not signing Martinez?
Potentially. Lammens is a young talent with a lot of potential, but given Manchester United’s woes in goal, they needed someone ready for the Premier League.
Martinez would have provided just that. Not just English top-flight experience, but World Cup-winning experience. Something invaluable.
Amorim may have made a mistake, but only time will tell as the season pans out.