Ruben Amorim is ‘not ruling out’ a move for Emiliano Martinez as the Aston Villa goalkeeper ‘desperately’ tries to push through a summer transfer to Old Trafford.
Martinez, 32, is believed to be keen on a move to United despite theirwoeful 2024-25 campaign.
Under Amorim and Erik ten Hag, Manchester United finished just 15th in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places.
Aston Villa, in contrast, finished sixth in the Premier League – missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day – and went deep in both Europe’s top club competition and the FA Cup.
Given the fortunes of both clubs, Martinez’s desire to leave Villa Park for Old Trafford may come as a surprise but he is said to still view United as one of the biggest clubs in the world and wants to help take them back to the top.
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The Argentine World Cup winner also backs himself to dislodge Andre Onana as Amorim’s No. 1 following the Cameroonian’s underwhelming spell in the team.
As a result, The Sun say Martinez is ‘desperately’ trying to force through a ‘dream’ move to Manchester United.
It is claimed Red Devils boss Amorim has ‘not ruled out’ a move and has been a long-term admirer of Martinez.
Amorim wants to bring ‘captains and leaders’ to Manchester United this summer and views Martinez as a player capable of getting the club back to where they belong.
‘Emi is big pals with Argentina team-mate Lisandro Martinez and is keen to move,’ a source told The Sun. ‘He has already knocked back a couple of big hitters in the hope of joining United.
Unai Emery on Emiliano Martinez transfer rumours
Unai Emery was quizzed on Emiliano Martinez’s Aston Villa future ahead of the club’s final Premier League game against Manchester United.
TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach said: ‘Will today potentially be the final time we see Emiliano Martinez play for Aston Villa?’
‘No way,’ Emery replied.
Breach continued: ‘Definitely not? He’s staying at the club?’ before Emery said ‘see you later’ before thanking her for the interview and walking off.
Read more here.
‘Amorim is a huge admirer of his. He tried to sign him for Sporting in 2020 but lost out to Villa. He wants to fill the squad with captains and leaders and Emi fits the bill perfectly.’
Amorim has already welcomed Wolves’ best player Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford in a deal worth £62.5m and is currently pursuing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss is said to be open to signing a replacement for Onana, who has been linked with a move to Monaco.
Onana is keen to stay in Manchester, however, and prove his doubters wrong following a difficult season between the posts.
Martinez, who joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020, has also attracted interest from multiple Saudi Pro League clubs and La Liga side Atletico Madrid.
He appeared to wave goodbye to Villa fans following their final home game of the season before being sent off on the final day against the club he is keen to join, Manchester United.
Unai Emery insisted at the time that Martinez would be staying put but Aston Villa are open to a sale giving their difficult financial situation.
Martinez remained tight-lipped when asked about his future earlier this month while on international duty with Argentina.
‘My future? I don’t know, I come here to play for the national team, and that’s the only thing that matters to me right now,’ he said.
‘Do I want to move to a new club? The transfer window just opened, so there’s still a long way to go.’
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