In recent months, Emiliano Martinez has been heavily linked with Manchester United. On Monday, the 33-year-old sat with his phone on his lap so as not to miss the call from United management on Deadline Day. There was never a phone call with the happy news from Old Trafford. What happened?
Manchester United on Monday showed off a smiling and proud Senne Lammens as their new goalkeeper. The Argentine world champion Martinez was determined that he would be the one sitting at the signing table. According to The Athletic, there has been a lot of activity on the part of the Aston Villa goalkeeper to secure a contract with the Red Devils.
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According to the English media, the Argentine international goalkeeper was very open to a United transfer, having apparently said goodbye to Aston Villa fans at the end of the 2024-25 season. Emiliano Martinez reportedly encouraged his Argentine teammate, United defender Lisandro Martinez, to try and plead his case to the people of United as time ran out.
He is also said to have spoken to Ruben Amorim in June and July about a potential transfer, with the Portuguese coach believing that the South American’s “character and experience would be beneficial for his team”. Only one conversation was made, regarding a loan deal that would never be acceptable for Villa. From there, Martinez’s wages became an issue – terms in the West Midlands until 2029 saw him earn more than Onana. A transfer fee of over £30 million also had to be taken into account.
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When Emiliano Martinez finally left Villa’s training base this week, it was to go to Argentina for World Cup qualifiers, not for a medical check-up and contract signing in Manchester. The phone call from the red part of the city never came.
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