Manchester United Open Negotiations for Emi Martínez After Losing Out on Ter Stegen
Manchester United have officially kickstarted discussions to sign Aston Villa’s highly-rated goalkeeper Emiliano “Emi” Martínez, after losing out on one of their other top targets.
The Red Devils are determined to strengthen their goalkeeping department ahead of the upcoming season following a string of poor performances from current first-choice keeper Andre Onana.
Onana’s debut season at Old Trafford has been far from convincing, with the Cameroonian international being directly responsible for several costly mistakes across both the Premier League and European competitions.
His inconsistency between the posts played a significant role in United’s disastrous campaign, which saw them finish an unthinkable 15th in the league table.
In light of these struggles, the club’s management has made acquiring a new goalkeeper one of their top priorities this summer.
Among the names being seriously considered, Emi Martínez has emerged as a prime candidate.
Speculation around his potential departure from Aston Villa began towards the end of last season when the Argentine shot-stopper appeared visibly emotional following what may have been his final home match at Villa Park.
According to reports from ESPN Argentina, Manchester United have now formally reached out to Martínez and his representatives, initiating talks about a possible switch to Old Trafford.
Despite United’s absence from European competition next season — while Villa prepare to compete in the Europa League — Martínez is said to be open to the move, prioritizing the opportunity to stay in England over offers from abroad, including one from Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The push for Martínez has also intensified due to the collapse of United’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen.
Initial reports had suggested that United were exploring the possibility of luring the German international to Old Trafford, potentially negotiating a contract termination with Barcelona.
However, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Ter Stegen has now reached a preliminary agreement with Galatasaray.
The move is expected to be finalized unless Barcelona demand a high transfer fee, effectively taking him off the table for United.
With Ter Stegen heading to Turkey and Martínez keen on remaining in the Premier League, United’s focus has shifted entirely to securing the Villa goalkeeper’s signature.
The Argentine is seen as the perfect solution to United’s goalkeeping crisis, bringing world-class reflexes, a calm head in high-pressure situations — as demonstrated during Argentina’s World Cup triumph — and strong leadership at the back.
Already proven in England’s top flight, Martínez would require no adjustment period, making him a safer investment compared to foreign alternatives.
Financially, Aston Villa are not expected to resist the move if United submit a suitable offer.
With Unai Emery preparing for a busy European campaign, Villa may view Martínez’s sale as an opportunity to reshape their squad. The transfer fee is expected to fall in the range of £30 to £40 million.
However, United may look to structure the payments strategically in order to stay within Financial Fair Play limits.
With Marc-André ter Stegen no longer an option and Andre Onana’s position at the club severely weakened, Emi Martínez now stands out as the most viable and realistic solution for United’s goalkeeping overhaul.
His potential arrival would not only stabilize the defense but could also mark the beginning of a new, more disciplined era under manager Ruben Amorim, who prioritizes tactical organization and defensive solidity as key pillars of his rebuilding project at Old Trafford.
