Jadon Sancho cost Manchester United the chance to sign Emiliano Martínez in the summer
Jadon Sancho had been linked with a move away from Manchester United for a while, but his refusal to leave Old Trafford on a permanent deal in the recently concluded summer transfer window reportedly ended up derailing a proposed swap for the Manchester Reds to bring Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The England winger has now headed to Villa Park on a season-long loan, but if we look between the lines, his stance ended up ultimately preventing the Premier League heavyweights from what was seen internally as an unbelievable deal among the chiefs at Carrington.
United were trying a Sancho and Emi swap
Jadon Sancho cost Manchester United the chance to sign Emiliano Martínez in the summer.
Jadon Sancho did not want a permanent move to Villa
The Premier League heavyweights were trying to pull through a straight swap with Aston Villa which would have seen Sancho being sent south permanently while in exchange getting Martinez (someone who has been admired very highly for a while at Old Trafford) at M16, and with both players being valued at around £25 million, it looked like a deal that could have been structured without any financial outlay. (h/t TBR Football)
But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, this plan didn’t come through on deadline day, as the former Dortmund wide forward made it clear that he would only accept a loan exit, and this condition ended up scuppering the deal despite the fact that United had already reached advanced stages in terms of negotiation with Villa over bringing Martinez to M16.
Sancho’s stance forced United to pivot to Lammens
Manchester United seal €21m deal for Royal Antwerp keeper Senne Lammens on Deadline Day.
Manchester United sealed €21m deal for Royal Antwerp keeper Senne Lammens instead of Emi on Deadline Day.
The Argentine World Cup winner was omitted from Unai Emery’s squad last Sunday as negotiations progressed over a possible exit, which also shows just how close the move was given that Manchester United were desperate to solve the goalkeeping crisis and had identified the former Arsenal keeper as a ready-made upgrade on Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. But then the club had to pivot into signing Senne Lammens instead, as Sancho’s stance forced the club to reconsider the options.
And while Lammens is highly rated and also received endorsement from Thibaut Courtois, there is a big difference in terms of experience between him and Martinez. And now United will face a gamble when it comes to personnel in goal, and they would be hoping that the Belgian quickly adapts to the pace and playing style of the Premier League.
What do you make of this Sancho stance that forced Man United to pivot from Emi Martinez? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.