Emiliano Martinez’s family have spoken out on the goalkeeper’s failed transfer to Manchester United in a saga that saw him remain at Aston Villa.

Martinez was anticipated to depart from the club this summer after four years and was visibly emotional as he appeared to bid farewell to fans following Villa’s final game of the season last summer.

He seemed on the verge of joining United, with both clubs engaged in discussions right up until the window closed, but no transfer came through, and he remained at Villa Park instead.

As reported by The Athletic, Emiliano reached out to his Argentina teammate, current United center back Lisandro Martinez, in an effort to make the move a reality.

But it didn’t – and his family have now broken their silence on the failed move to give their views. 

Emiliano Martinez’s brother and father have spoken out on the goalkeeper’s failed transfer to Manchester United

The goalkeeper had been set to join the Red Devils but the move collapsed on deadline day

‘I heard that Emi contributed greatly both professionally and personally, and they adore him, as seen on the pitch,’ Martinez’s brother, Alejandro, shared with DSports Radio. ‘He is well-regarded, and the directors were reluctant to sell him because he is a crucial player, and another team wanted him. It was a commercial disagreement.

‘These decisions are made by the club’s officials. It didn’t pan out, but like everything in business, the focus was taken away from the sporting aspects, and everything is fine.’

Marco Bizot has started two of Villa’s three Premier League games so far this season. Martinez was suspended for the season opener against Newcastle but returned to the goal for the loss at Brentford.

Against Crystal Palace last weekend, however, Martinez was nowhere to be seen and Emery refused to reveal why in a bizarre interview.

Alejandro said there was nothing in it, but spoke extremely highly of his brother.

‘Emi never had an argument with Unai,’ Alejandro added. ‘It was all within the management’s control, and the clubs couldn’t agree.

‘At Aston Villa, he’s the Diego [Maradona] of Napoli. He gave a lot at Villa, like Kun [Aguero] did at City, like Leo [Messi] did at Barca. They’re legendary players, and it’s going to be hard to surpass what he did at Aston Villa.’

Martinez’s father, Alberto, meanwhile, added:  ‘This is a job, this is a factory, and factories have employees. He’s just another employee, and the factory won’t let him go if he’s good. It’s all business. Tomorrow it will happen, today it didn’t happen.’

Martinez’s brother, Alejandro (right) compared Martinez’s time at Villa to Diego Maradona’s stay at Napoli

He said: ‘At Aston Villa, he’s the Diego [Maradona] of Napoli. He gave a lot at Villa, like Kun [Aguero] did at City, like Leo [ Messi ] did at Barca’

He also revealed there has been no fall out with Villa boss Unai Emery (right)

Ruben Amorim’s side did not make a formal approach until Martinez returned to Birmingham for pre-season training, after which they enquired about a potential loan deal to the Villains.

A move then failed to materialise on deadline day as Amorim instead chose to strike a transfer for Royal Antwerp’s 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

United were potentially put off by the cost of a move for Martinez, who earns more than Andre Onana based on his current contract at Villa, with Emery’s side claimed to have set a £30million fee for the Argentine shot-stopper.

As Monday’s transfer deadline of 7pm drew ever closer, Martinez finally opted to fly to Argentina for their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador.

Manchester United, Aston Villa and Martinez’s representatives declined to comment.

It comes after Amorim’s side agreed a deal worth £21.7m with the Belgian side and there will be no sell-on clause.

Lammens has agreed a five year contract at Old Trafford and comes in to solve Amorim’s problem between the sticks.