Emi Martinez wanted to join Manchester United in the summer transfer windowplaceholder image
Emi Martinez wanted to join Manchester United in the summer transfer window | Getty Images
Man Utd explored a move to sign the World Cup winner in the summer transfer window.
Aston Villa have stripped Emi Martinez of his vice-captaincy after he looked to leave the club and join Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
United explored a move for Martinez on deadline day of the window, while they also worked on a deal to sign Senne Lammens as an alternative. United saw a loan offer for the Villa shot-stopper rejected earlier in the summer as they explored various ways to reinforce their goalkeeper options.
It is understood that Martinez told Villa he wanted to move to Old Trafford and was on standby during deadline day for any development over a move. At 33, he was seen as a short-term solution in goal, while Lammens is viewed as a long-term investment at the age of just 23. However, a move never materialised, and Martinez remained at Villa Park without his dream transfer.
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Martinez stripped of vice-captaincy
Unai Emery has confirmed Emiliano Martinez is not the Aston Villa vice-captain anymore after their 2-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night. Club captain John McGinn was not named in the starting line up for the clash and rather than hand the armband to Martinez as usual, England international defender Ezri Konsa lead the team out instead.
The decision raised a few eyebrows in the Villa fanbase and after the comfortable win, Emery confirmed Martinez was no longer the club's vice-captain.
"The first captain is John McGinn," Emery said at full-time. "We decided how we are, as well as managing the next captain. Usually, we have another captain, Emi Martinez, as second captain. But now, after speaking with him, I prefer to get him back. Konsa is the next one. Tyrone Mings, with Ollie Watkins too. Normally, we are managing it like that."
On the penultimate day of the summer transfer window, Fabrizio Romano claimed Martinez had already agreed personal terms with United over the transfer move that never materialised. "Emi Martínez has told Aston Villa that he wants to join Manchester United," he wrote on social media. "Clear message again after the game as personal terms are agreed with #MUFC."
A report from the Daily Mail this week also claimed Martinez was ‘absolutely convinced’ he would move to Old Trafford in the summer window and only realised a move would not materialise when they signed Senne Lammens on deadline day instead. It is even claimed the Argentine had boasted to friends and family about his impending transfer and was left embarrassed when it didn’t happen.
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