Manager Ruben Amorim is unable to “convince” Manchester United to sign the £40m goalkeeper, while the number one option is in place.
According to a journalist, Ruben Amorim has not been able to convince Manchester United to go in for Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez, while Wayne Rooney names the super goalkeeper that the Red Devils must offer.
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Manchester United have signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer to revamp Amorim’s attack, and the Red Devils are now focusing on securing a new goalkeeper and a new midfielder before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Andre Onana, who is currently injured, has not been very convincing since his transfer from Inter Milan in 2023, while his backup, Altay Bayındır, did not impress against Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend and was exploited for the Gunners’ goal from a corner.
What is new is that Manchester United will bid for Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.
While Lammens is now Manchester United’s main alternative to Martinez, the Red Devils could have signed the former Arsenal star if they had been willing to meet Villa’s demands.
Earlier this summer, the Argentine international goalkeeper himself was willing to move to Old Trafford, and that Villa wanted £40 million for him.
TEAMtalk revealed on July 23 that Manchester United approached Villa regarding a loan deal for Martinez, and that the Red Devils were also willing to send winger Alejandro Garnacho to Villa Park as part of the swap deal.
The Villans turned down the offer, and well-known and well-informed Argentine journalist Gaston Edul now reveals what Manchester United said to Amorim after the manager urged them to make a bid for Martinez.
Gaston Edul said on 412 – El Programa Del Fútbol: “The deal was very close (Emi Martinez to Manchester United).”
“The coaching staff, especially Amorim, wanted him, and Martinez knew that Amorim wanted him.”
“Amorim failed to convince the board of Manchester United that it was important to spend money on a good goalkeeper.”
“Well, they told him that Onana was there and said, ‘OK, we’ll do you a favor and try,’ and they offered a loan.”
“Aston Villa made it clear under what conditions they would let him go for a sale.”
Manchester United urged to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and is available for transfer this summer.
The Italian international goalkeeper, who won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain last season, has already announced that he will leave the defending Ligue 1 champions.
It is speculated that Manchester City have agreed personal terms with Donnarumma, and that Manchester United have withdrawn.
Despite the fact that the Red Devils are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper, journalist Ben Jacobs has said on X that “Manchester United are not looking for Gianluigi Donnarumma”.
However, former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes that the Red Devils simply have to try and sign Donnarumma.
When asked on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show if Manchester United should sign a new goalkeeper, he replied: “Yes, I think it’s a must.”
“I think back to when we [United] had Roy Carroll and Tim Howard in the goalkeeper position. I don’t think there was 100% trust from the defenders in front of the two goalkeepers.”
“But the moment [Edwin] Van der Sar comes in and calms everything down, the defenders trust him a lot more.”
“[Andre] Onana has come in, he’s a fantastic goalkeeper, but he certainly didn’t give us confidence last season.”
“Donnarumma is 26 years old, he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world, it would be crazy if Manchester United don’t go for him. I don’t think he’s a risk.”
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