Speculation continued to link United and the goalkeeper until a few hours before deadline day and there remained the possibility the club would go for him
Even as of deadline day, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was waiting at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground for Manchester United to reach out, but they never did.
There were months of speculation linking the Argentina goalkeeper to Old Trafford. Martinez himself pushed for the move, even asking his Argentina teammate Lisandro Martinez to put in a word on his behalf.
The United defender did and head coach Ruben Amorim was also open to the idea, having spoken to Martinez and believing the 33-year-old’s leadership could strengthen the squad. But talks never advanced.
Were Manchester United interested in Martinez?
United explored a move for Martinez this summer. Their goalkeeping issues are clear as day; both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have hardly covered themselves in glory.
The club first reached out to Villa during pre-season, reportedly after a request from Amorim. The recruitment team were concerned over the finances, as Villa were thought to want in excess of £30m.
So United’s team made enquiries about a loan deal. Villa were said to be baffled by the approach for a loan, given Martinez’s pedigree. They also needed to balance their books and a sale was of no use in that regard, so they quickly dismissed United’s approach.
What happened on deadline day?
Formal discussions between the two clubs did not progress beyond the initial enquiry. After Villa rebuffed attempts for a loan deal United withdrew, instead targeting the 23-year-old Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.
Lammens was ten years younger and the club considered a move for him much more financially viable, even if the Belgian would not be ready to get into the starting XI straightaway.
As of the few days leading up to deadline day, a deal for Lammens was still not finalised and there remained the possibility United would eventually decide on the more experienced and Premier League-proven option.
Speculation continued to link the club to both Lammens and Martinez, until a few hours before deadline day, when the Argentina international realised a move would not happen and then left for international duty.
