Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United's day of reckoning has arrived as they prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League in Bilbao.
Victory tonight will see the Reds qualify for the Champions League next season, while defeat will make their task of luring top talents to Old Trafford that bit harder. Ahead of the final, transfer rumours have been floating around United regularly and while Matheus Cunha looks all but a done deal, some bits of business seem a bit further away from completion.
In our look at the latest transfer news, we focus on the goalkeeper position and how that could be changing at Old Trafford this summer.
Martinez transfer interest
After his emotional goodbye at Villa Park on Friday night, talkSPORT understands Emiliano Martinez is a player of interest for United. It is claimed that both the Reds and Atletico Madrid hold an interest in the Argentine who won the Yashin Trophy for world's best goalkeeper in the past two seasons.
The report claims that Aston Villa are looking for £40m and United would only be able to afford the deal if they sell Andre Onana.
What MEN Sport says: Martinez has undoubtedly been a good goalkeeper for Villa and Argentina. With four years remaining on his contract in the West Midlands, a £40m price tag seems understandable. However, United should probably avoid splashing such high amounts on ageing players. Martinez is 32 and while he could play for longer as a goalkeeper, it seems like a move that the Glazers would have green lit and very few of those paid off. Plus, while Onana has not been consistent this season, there are bigger priorities than replacing him.
Onana offered out
Speaking of Onana, TEAMtalk understands that United are offering out the Cameroonian ahead of the summer window. It is believed that United are actively seeking to sell the shot stopper and see Martinez as his perfect replacement.
Neom SC, who will be playing in the Saudi Pro League next season, have reportedly been contacted over the possibility of signing Onana. However, it is thought that his high wage, even for Saudi clubs, is making many interested parties sceptical of submitting an offer.
What MEN Sport says: If United can get £40m for Onana and use that money to purchase Martinez, that would be the only acceptable way to sign the 'keeper. They would make a profit on a signing who has flattered to deceive while also signing one of the world's best in the process. However, when the attack at United has yet to be resolved, questions surely still remain as to whether looking for a new goalkeeper is a good use of the recruitment team's efforts.
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