Details have emerged of Emi Martinez’s frantic efforts to seal a deadline-day transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester United.
Martinez fails to get United move
Heading into the closing stages of the just-closed summer transfer window, United made the decision to sign a goalkeeper.
This verdict was arrived at after Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana’s mistake-strewn performances in the four opening fixtures of the 2025/26 season against Arsenal, Fulham, Grimsby Town and Burnley.
United narrowed down their options to two names – Martinez and Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens.
Lammens appeared to be United’s primary target but they lined up a swoop for Martinez in case an agreement with Antwerp proved elusive. United reached an agreement on personal terms with Martinez’s camp, with the World Cup winner eager to secure a switch to Old Trafford.
However, United ultimately reached a compromise with Lammens and sealed the Belgian’s signing.
Lammens was unveiled as a United player on Monday evening. Meanwhile, Martinez seems set to stay at Villa, with the European transfer window now closed.
The Athletic have revealed that Martinez spent deadline day waiting for United’s call but the phone never rang. He had also reached out to fellow countryman Lisandro Martinez to plead his case for him with United bosses but it still didn’t make a difference.
Martinez’s desperate bid to seal United move
Jacob Tanswell and Laurie Whitwell reveal, “Emiliano Martinez spent transfer deadline day at Aston Villa’s training ground, Bodymoor Heath, waiting for a call about a move to Manchester United that never came.”
“The Aston Villa goalkeeper, 32, had made little secret of his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer and even called on his Argentina team-mate, United defender Lisandro Martinez, to try to advocate for him with people at United, which he duly did.”
The newspaper notes that Martinez spoke to Ruben Amorim, who believed that the goalkeeper’s experience and character would rub off on some members of his squad.
However, United did not materialise their interest except for a tentative loan enquiry earlier in the summer, which was turned down by Villa.
The Athletic suggest that Martinez’s age and his mega salary may have played a part in United’s decision to move for Lammens instead.
It’s understood that Martinez already earns more than Onana and Villa would have likely demanded a fee in excess of £30m.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
