Bombshell: United open talks with World Cup winner over summer transfer – report

Manchester United have made an offer for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to a new report.

DSports claim that both United and Barcelona have approached the World Cup winner and made their pitch about him joining their club.

¡EL DIBU: EN LA MIRA DE DOS GIGANTES! 🔥

🧤 Emiliano Martínez tiene ofertas de Manchester United y Barcelona para dejar Aston Villa.

¿En qué equipo crees que continuará su carrera? 🤔

ℹ️ @fczyz

📷 AVFC pic.twitter.com/fiM3RHgjvH

— DSPORTS (@DSports) May 18, 2025

The news comes out of the blue, with DSports’ own news team previously reporting that Dibu’s next destination will likely be Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, reports from reliable sources this week alleged that United were not even prioritising the goalkeeping position.

At 32 years of age, Martinez seems an unlikely target for INEOS, but with question marks still hanging over Andre Onana’s unpredictability, it is possible they are looking to bring in a safe pair of hands without too much of an outlay.

Martinez has twice won the Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper award and looks certain to leave Villa Park at the end of the month. Despite having a contract that runs to 2029, the Villans are widely tipped to be cashing in, hoping to replace the Argentinian with a younger keeper.

The star was spotted crying after the recent match against Spurs, leading Sky Sports to suggest that it might have been one of the last of his 211 appearances for the Birmingham side.

🗣️ “He’ll be a big loss to them”
🗣️ “That does look like he was waving goodbye for sure”

Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp on Emi Martinez waving to the Villa Park crowd with tears in his eyes 👋 pic.twitter.com/wNaMId6Cij

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025

The keeper’s market value as per transfermarkt.com is €25 million (£21m) but Villa are probably looking for an amount in excess of that as they seek to balance the books from a PSR perspective.

Ironically, one of the names tipped to replace Martinez at Villa Park is Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, who has also been heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch.

Martinez has also been reported to want Champions League football, which would rule out Saudi but could put United in the picture if they were to win the Europa League final on Wednesday.

If indeed United were to land the South American, it would call into question whether Onana would then be sold or whether they would be left to battle it out for the number one jersey.

Serendipitously, United are set to face Martinez and Villa in their final Premier League match of the season next Sunday.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social