‘Man United get Emi Martinez boost amid Aston Villa goalkeeper update’
Manchester United look to have received a major boost in their bid to sign Emiliano Martinez this summer.
United are in the market for a new No.1 following an error-strewn spell from Andre Onana.
The Cameroon international arrived at Old Trafford from Inter in the summer of 2023 and has since played 72 times in the Premier League.
However, Onana’s form nosedived last season, with a save percentage of just 67.2% and three errors leading to goals — compared to 72% and one, respectively, in 2023/24 (FotMob).
Man United keen on Martinez
A goalkeeping implosion is the last thing Ruben Amorim needs after United finished 15th in the Premier League last season with just 44 goals scored — also losing the Europa League final to Tottenham to miss out on European qualification entirely.
Onana’s form has triggered widespread rumours that United are in the market for a new goalkeeper, with Aston Villa stopper Martinez the most widely-mentioned name.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson recently told Football Insider that while United will do ‘everything they can’ to land Martinez, he doesn’t see a move happening.
32-year-old Martinez has four years left to run on his Villa contract and is regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, having won Copa America and the World Cup with Argentina, so would not come cheap.
Aston Villa impressed by John Victor
Despite the hurdles, United may have been given a major boost in their efforts to bring Martinez to Old Trafford.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed on Wednesday (30 July) that Aston Villa are among the Premier League clubs interested in signing John Victor from Botafogo.
Victor is attracting attention following some fine performances at the recent Fifa Club World Cup — where he posted an 81.2% save rate and conceded just three goals in four matches — and it’s understood that an unnamed Premier League club and Bayer Leverkusen have already submitted bids.
However, Aston Villa, Wolves and Burnley also had scouts at Botafogo’s cup match against Red Bull Bragantino on Tuesday, with Victor making four saves to help his side to a 2-0 win.
Man United are also understood to be admirers of Victor, but they may be keeping a close eye on Villa’s stance in this race as a backdoor to finally signing Martinez.