Man Utd strike Emi Martinez agreement as transfer moves a step closer | Football | Sport
Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Emi Martinez but are yet to settle on a transfer fee with Aston Villa. The Red Devils have been trying to sign a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana failing to make a convincing case between the sticks. His disastrous display against Grimsby Town in midweek has seemingly prompted a last-ditch attempt to sign a replacement.
Martinez was linked with United earlier this summer and they are said to have revived their interest ahead of Monday’s deadline. It was reported on Sunday morning that a £40million bid for the World Cup winner was being prepared. Now, it has been revealed that United have reached a major breakthrough with just over 24 hours remaining in the window.
They have agreed personal terms with Martinez and talks are now underway at club level, according to Fabrizio Romano. It remains to be seen if Villa will be prepared to sell the 32-year-old, who remains tied down until the summer of 2029.
It would leave them with barely any time to land a replacement but they are said to be weighing up a move for Royal Antwerp stopper Senne Lammens, who has been linked with United throughout the window.
Talks have reportedly taken place over the last few days but the 23-year-old is yet to agree personal terms with the Red Devils. A move to Villa now appears to be the most likely outcome, especially if Martinez completes the switch to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, it has been reported by The Telegraph that United could include Jadon Sancho in a part-exchange offer for Martinez. The winger has been deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim, having spent last season on loan at Chelsea.
Including him in a swap deal for Martinez would allow United to solve two problems at once. However, there is no word on whether Villa would be prepared to take Sancho, who is thought to be earning around £250,000 per week.
Onana is said to have lost the faith of United chiefs, who are similarly unconvinced by Altay Bayindir. The latter was responsible for Fulham’s equaliser last weekend before making another blunder when Burnley levelled for the second time on Saturday.
Quizzed on the mistake after the final whistle, Amorim said: “They are humans. At Manchester United, everything is analysed. 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.”
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