Ruben Amorim and Lisandro Martinez both reportedly held talks over the possible transfer moveplaceholder image
Ruben Amorim and Lisandro Martinez both reportedly held talks over the possible transfer move | Getty Images
Man Utd moved to sign a goalkeeper in the final stages of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United finally moved to sign a goalkeeper on transfer deadline day after a poor start to the new season from both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. Ruben Amorim wanted to refresh his options in goal all summer, but the position was viewed as a 'secondary priority', with the primary focus on an attacking overhaul instead.
United spent roughly £200 million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko before they agreed a fee of £18.2m to bring Senne Lammens to the club from Royal Antwerp on deadline day. Even on the final morning of the European window, it was unclear which goalkeeper United would move for, amid rival interest in Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez as well.
United had already seen a loan enquiry for Martinez rejected back in July, with the 33-year-old reportedly 'disappointed' a deadline day move never materialised after he had been 'confident' he would move to Old Trafford.
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A report from The Athletic claims it was 'an open secret' around Villa's training ground that Martinez wanted to leave this summer and he had reportedly informed teammates and staff he would be on the move. It is understood his representatives had been in talks with United since the start of the year and that Martinez had even spoken to both Amorim and international teammate Lisandro Martinez about a possible move to Manchester.
Villa had kept tabs on Lammens as their own possible replacement for Martinez in the final hours of the window, after they regarded the 23-year-old Belgian to be 'more consistent' than Porto star Diogo Costa. However, it was United that opted for Lammens instead and left Martinez without the deadline day lifeline he had banked on.
The report also claims: "Martinez was at Bodymoor on Monday, confidently waiting for United and Amorim to ask him to get to Manchester to complete a move. Much to his disappointment, the call never came." In the end there was no formal offer as United completed a deal to sign Lammens and Martinez remained at Villa Park.
Speaking this week, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni insisted the goalkeeper was still ‘happy’ despite missing out on his dream transfer move. "I saw Emiliano doing well,” he said. “In the end, his transfer didn't happen, but yesterday (Tuesday) was his birthday and I saw him happy, he looked good. Obviously, he must have been excited about playing for Manchester United, as they said, but he's a positive kid who's already thinking about us and returning to his club, which is what he needs to think about. But I saw him doing well."
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