Following Andre Onana’s hamstring injury, Manchester United are on the lookout for a competent replacement with a reports suggesting a renewed push for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez is on the cards.
The Argentine was expected to depart Villa following emotional scenes during his final home game of last season. There is reported interest from both the Red Devils and Atletico Madrid.
The World Cup winner rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in the hopes of earning a significant step-up in his club career and the 20-time English league champions represent just that.
United have been interested for a while now, and formal negotiations have commenced with a determination to see the deal through.
Formal negotiations
The Argentina international is also open to the move. The only problem? His current’s club’s valuation. As per La Nacion,
the Birmingham side want as much as £40 million due to the goalie having four years left on his current deal.
INEOS will only go as high as £33 million, and it will be interesting to see how this gap in valuation is made up or who blinks first.
“The interest isn’t new; there were already inquiries some time ago. But now the negotiations are more formal and determined to finalize the deal. Manchester United wants Emiliano Martínez to be its goalkeeper for the upcoming season.
“According to LA NACION , the goalkeeper is open to the transfer. At 32, he considers it a significant step in his club career, after failing to establish himself or find continuity at Arsenal, a member of England’s Big Six .
“Aston Villa is willing to negotiate, as a way of showing recognition and gratitude to Dibu, who was instrumental in the club’s return to Champions League competition last season after 42 years. The Birmingham club would not interfere with Dibu’s desire to take on a new top-level sporting challenge.
Gap in valuation remains
“Dibu’s signing is also an express request from Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. But many issues remain. Not the least of which is the transfer fee. It has been reported that Aston Villa’s financial demands are around 40 million pounds, or about $54 million. United’s plan is to reach an agreement for a lower fee, around $44 million.”
Emiliano Martinez is not too bothered about the lack of European football at Old Trafford as he considers the prestige of earing the red of United as an honour.
But INEOS can only offer the transfer fee if Onana can be sold. So far, Saudi Pro League sides and AS Monaco have stayed away from submitting a concrete proposal.
His injury has complicated matters further. How United react might make a huge difference to how they fare in the upcoming campaign as both Amorim and fans would prefer a new shot-stopper between the sticks.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
