‘Man United doing all they can to complete Emiliano Martinez deal’
Aston Villa would raise a lot of eyebrows if they let Emi Martinez make a move to Manchester United this summer.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson cast doubt over the chances of Man United signing Aston Villa and Argentina’s number one.
Andre Onana’s hamstring injury has ruled him out for six weeks and all-but ended the prospect of United cashing in on their error-strewn number one this summer, and highlights their dire need for a new keeper.
Martinez has been at the top of Man United’s goalkeeping transfer list for some time, but Robinson told Football Insider that any move for Martinez makes no sense from either Villa or the player’s perspective.
Villa had come under pressure to sell Martinez after missing out on Champions League qualification last season, but the 32-year-old rejected a move to the Saudi Pro League and wants to remain in Europe.
Man United could offer Martinez the chance to remain in the Premier League if he does leave Villa Park, and Robinson has told Football Insider that they are giving “100 per cent” in their efforts to sign him.
‘Man United move makes no sense for Emi Martinez or Aston Villa’
Old Trafford has been tipped as a more viable destination than Atletico Madrid should Martinez push for a more away from Villa this summer, but Robinson wasn’t convinced that Unai Emery would sell to a rival.
Speaking on the latest Inside Track, he was asked about Man United exploring a deal for Martinez this summer, but wasn’t sure why Villa or the Argentine himself would even contemplate such a transfer.
“I don’t get that deal at all. Onana’s not to the level, and they do need either competition or a replacement for him”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“But I don’t understand why Villa would sell Martinez – unless there’s a fee for a 32-year-old that you can’t really turn down, I don’t see that [happening].
“From Manchester United’s point of view; 100 per cent do what you can to sign him. He’s a better goalkeeper [than Onana], he’s a World Cup winner, he’s a character in the dressing room.
“I find it unlikely from Martinez and Aston Villa’s point of view, but from Manchester United’s point of view I completely get it.
“I can’t see Aston Villa doing it in all honesty, I can’t see them sanctioning a deal for him – and, why would you sell to a rival?”
Onana injury leaves Man United in a Martinez-shaped bind
Man United’s outgoing transfer business certainly hasn’t gone to plan this summer, with Ruben Amorim struggling to move on five players he’s deemed surplus to requirements thanks to their massive wages.
Onana isn’t one of these, but the Cameroonian’s injury leaves Amorim scrambling for a new keeper and hands Villa all the cards when it comes to Martinez, with the Villans well aware of United’s desperation.
As things stand, Martinez looks set to stay put at Villa Park, and with Onana also going nowhere anytime soon, United look set for yet another short-term stop-gap who they’ll likely pay over the top to sign.