Club reopens door for United to sign world-class South American they nearly landed last summer – report

The winter transfer window presents Manchester United with an ideal opportunity to press on with Ruben Amorim’s rebuild. It is a chance for INEOS to continue piecing together Amorim’s dream team, signing players tailor-made for the Portuguese tactician’s system. While most expect the focus to centre on midfield reinforcements, there may be other transfer opportunities simply too tempting to pass up. One such opening could be the chance to land Emiliano Martinez. Summer chase Following a turbulent spell between the sticks, United were left with little choice but to strengthen their goalkeeping department. Amorim had long craved an upgrade on Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, and INEOS made it their mission to deliver. Martinez and Senne Lammens were identified as the top targets. And although either could have arrived on deadline day, it was Lammens who ultimately got the nod. Martinez, understandably, must have been left frustrated, yet he had no option but to remain at Villa Park. The failed summer switch has not appeared to affect his form; he has been steady. Even so, in the aftermath of that collapsed move, the mood around him at Aston Villa seems to have shifted. Unai Emery’s side now appear to feel it may be best if the World Cup winner moved on. Martinez offers welcomed In a revealing report on the Midlands club’s goalkeeping situation, Wayne Veysey, writing for Football Insider, claims: “Villa will accept bids for star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the January transfer window. “Unai Emery and the club’s recruitment team are exploring alternative goalkeeper options as they aim for a long-term resolution in between the sticks.” With Lammens settling in well and proving a hit, the question arises: do United still need Martinez? On that, Veysey adds: “January could present him [Martinez] with a chance to leave the Second City outfit, with Man United continuing to keep tabs on Martinez.” Martinez to United somehow makes sense Driven by a desire to keep improving, a move for another top-tier goalkeeper like Martinez feels logical. Doubts have always hung around Bayindir. Much like with Onana, the sense is that United need to upgrade on him. Martinez, armed with vast experience and the brilliance that earned him FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year honours, could well be the perfect Bayindir replacement. The Villa shotstopper might also prove the perfect mentor for Lammens, especially if United can secure him at a bargain price. Learning from the South American could help the summer recruit live up to the hype of being the next Thibaut Courtois. Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.