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Villa star hints at exit as United enter race for signature
Manchester United has entered the race to sign Aston Villa shot stopper Emi Martinez, after the goalkeeper’s emotional farewell to Villa fans sparked speculation about his future.
After Villa defeated Tottenham 2-0 in their final home game of the season last Friday, Martinez was seen in tears as he waived to the Villa faithful. The Argentinian’s future at the club has been the subject of much speculation after lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs emerged earlier this month.
Villa look likely to sanction at least one big sell before June 30th to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and it seems Martinez is one of the names most likely under consideration.
United are now looking to throw their hat in the ring for his signature. Latin TV channel D Sports first reported that both Man United and Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Martinez when the transfer window opens this summer.
This story has since been supported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who says Martinez is expected to leave and will consider his options this summer.
United keen on Martinez
Any move for Martinez could prompt a bit of a transfer tug of war. United face competition not only from the Saudi Pro League, but from from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid as well, who are known admirers of the player.
The top name to replace Martinez at Villa is said to be Espanyol’s highly rated young keeper Joan Garcia, who is also a top name for the aforementioned clubs as well as others across Europe.
United will have to first sell under fire keeper Andre Onana to raise funds for Martinez, with Onana also linked to a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
One sale in either direction would likely trigger a subsequent frenzy of activity.
Villa have slapped a reported price tag of £40million on Martinez, who would leave the club with fond memories. Martinez joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020 for £17m and has been an instant fan favorite.
He saved a penalty on his debut against Sheffield United and would go on to make 4 more penalty saves in the Premier League since then. He would also make two saves in a penalty shoot-out to help Villa advance past Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals last season.
He’ll become an all time Villa great with 69 clean sheets from 211 appearances across all competitions.
The 2022 World Cup winner has drawn admirers (and enemies) outside of Villa as well for his heroics for Argentina.
Known for his wild celebrations and antics, Martinez infamously celebrated with the World Cup Golden Glove trophy in a manner which shocked the world and drew undesired attention to the player. His performances were not in question though, stepping up yet again with penalty saves from Virgil Van Dijk and Steven Berghuis in his country’s quarter-final win over the Netherlands.
His flailing leg save in the dying moments of the final against France will perhaps live even longer in the hearts of Argentinians.
His heroics for club and country has seem him become the only two time winner of the Yashin Trophy.
