Manchester United are exploring a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, talkSPORT understands.
A deal for the Argentine World Cup winner is dependent on United’s ongoing pursuit of Royal Antwerp stopper Senne Lammens.
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The Red Devils do not plan to sign both.
United have been plagued by bad performances in goal for much of Ruben Amorim’s tenure.
Altay Bayindir made a mistake leading to Riccardo Calafiori’s winning goal in their season’s first match, while Andre Onana became the symbol of embarrassment against League Two’s Grimsby during the Carabao Cup’s second round.
In contrast, Martinez was crucial in helping Villa secure a spot back in the Champions League and advance to the quarter-finals, all while establishing himself as Argentina’s top goalkeeper in their renewed era of success.
The 32-year-old has backstopped the Albiceleste to back-to-back Copa America wins, either side of starring in their 2022 World Cup triumph.
Such success brought Martinez two Yashin Trophies, the premier individual award for goalkeepers handed out at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
These accomplishments clearly fueled his ambitions, leading to an emotional goodbye to Villa fans at the close of the 2024/25 season after their unsuccessful bid to return to the Champions League.
However, re-entry into Europe’s elite competition did not happen, making United’s appeal as one of the globe’s most prestigious sports organizations potentially more enticing.
United earlier looked to have found a solution in the shape of Antwerp’s Lammens, but that deal appears to be no closer to a resolution.
The 23-year-old has been left out of his team’s last two league matches amid speculation over an Old Trafford switch.
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talkSPORT first reported Manchester United’s interest in Lammens in July with a fee of £17million quoted.
However, he was initially seen as a back-up option to Onana, a role that may have been reconsidered after the Cameroonian’s horror start.
Onana was responsible for the goals in United’s 2-2 Carabao Cup tie with Grimsby, which was ultimately resolved by penalties, during which he also missed several saves despite touching the ball.
Amorim was questioned about the goalkeeper in particular post-match, but refused to single anyone out.
“I believe some changes are necessary. Right now, our focus needs to be on the weekend [against Burnley], and afterward, we’ll have the chance to reflect,” he commented in response.
“In the first half, I told them that they were speaking really loud to me: ‘I understand what you are doing, what I am seeing. Let’s try to change that in the 45 minutes’.
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“It’s not the goalkeepers. It’s more than that. It’s everyone. Thank you.”
Despite his comments, Bayindir was again at fault for another goal against Burnley and Amorim had to put up another defence.
“They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is analysed,” he said after the edgy 3-2 win.
“Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. And you can see, I can change the goalkeeper and these situations keep happening. We are in that moment.
“I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment. But if you look at the first goal, we can defend it better.
“We suffered a quite similar goal against Fulham, because we don’t do the full rotation of the team when the ball is on the other side.
“All these small things have nothing to do with the goalkeeper.”
