Man United backed to sign Aston Villa player who’s ‘already said his goodbyes’
Man United have been backed to reignite their interest in goalkeeper Emi Martinez after a summer move failed to materialise.
That is according to ex-Aberdeen and Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who thinks Martinez will leave Aston Villa.
Martinez was expected to depart Aston Villa in the summer, with Man United one of a number of clubs interested in the 33-year-old.
The former Arsenal shot stopper has become one of the world’s best goalkeepers at Aston Villa, and Martinez signed a new long-term deal at the club last year.
Emi Martinez expected to leave Aston Villa
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks Man United should target a goalkeeper, and make a move for Martinez in the transfer window.
That is despite Man United signing Senne Lammens in the summer to replace Andre Onana in-between the sticks.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness predicts that Man United could make a swoop for Martinez.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I expect him to go. I mean, it was almost as though he was saying goodbye at the end of last season and that deal fell apart and I think he was embarrassed.
“And I don’t think that’s been forgotten by the powers that be and I think I expect him to be gone. Look, he’s a good keeper, great shot stopper, but there are certainly some issues around his personality and his behaviour.
“They always say goalkeepers are mad and he’s certainly one of those paid up members of the mad goalkeeper union. But still, I think he’s a quality keeper and think a lot of clubs would be looking for him.
“It was supposed to be Man United and I wouldn’t be surprised if that one’s knocking around as well because the new younger keeper I think really should be a number two at present. But anyway, yes, I expect Martinez to go somewhere and it could be overseas.”
Man United looking to offload Andre Onana
Man United have loaned Onana to Turkish club Trabzonspor for the season, and the club will look to sell the goalkeeper next summer.
Whilst Lammens has impressed since his move to Old Trafford from Royal Antwerp, a goalkeeper of Martinez’s calibre could continue their progress under Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils though will face competition for Martinez, who has kept three clean sheets in 10 Premier League matches this season.