HERE WE GO: £110million winger is currently undergoing medical to join Manchester United as the Reds set for a double transfer announcement

Manchester United have reportedly ‘initiated talks’ to sign an elite goalkeeper target, after an ‘agreement’ killed the chances of a Barcelona deal.

United have deemed themselves in need of a new goalkeeper this summer. The below-par performances of Andre Onana have shown them that he’s no longer the right man.

The stopper was at fault for a number of goals in both the Premier League and other competitions, and that certainly did not help the Red Devils’ attempts at success, as they came 15th in the league.
Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez has been linked with United since the back end of the season, when it seemed his exit from Villa Park was likely when he was visibly upset on the field after his last home game.

According to ESPN Argentina, United have ‘initiated talks’ with the goalkeeper, who’s open to a switch to Old Trafford.
That’s in spite of the fact that there won’t be any European football on offer there next season, whereas Villa will play in the Europa League.
Indeed, it’s recently been suggested that Martinez is waiting for a call from United, with staying in England his preference, amid an offer from Galatasaray.

That call has come at the right time, and the reason for United now going hard for Martinez may be as Marc-Andre ter Stegen seems to be off the board.

It was reported of late that United were eager to sign the Barcelona star, who could agree to cancel his deal with the Nou Camp club.
But it’s since been reported by Fanatik that Ter Stegen has ‘reached an agreement’ to move to Galatasaray, and it’s expected that the deal will be finalised if Barca don’t demand a large transfer fee.

The Turkish outfit knew Martinez was not going to come on board, so they went after Ter Stegen, meaning he’d not be available to United.

But the Red Devils moving for Martinez seemed the easier transfer, given his preference of staying in England, so both clubs have seemingly got good moves for themselves, if both are indeed secured.

Manchester United have now **officially opened talks** to sign **Emiliano “Emi” Martínez**, with strong momentum building behind a move that could see the **Aston Villa goalkeeper become United’s new No. 1** this summer.

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### 🔴 **Key Developments:**

#### 🧤 **United initiate talks with Martínez**

* **ESPN Argentina** reports that United have made contact with **Martínez and his camp**.
* The Argentine **World Cup winner is open to the move**, despite the club’s lack of European football.
* He had previously shown signs of a potential farewell at **Villa Park**, where he appeared emotional during the final home game of the season.

#### ❌ **Ter Stegen deal off**

* United’s interest in **Marc-André ter Stegen** is now **effectively over**, with reports from Turkey (via *Fanatik*) confirming the Barcelona keeper has **reached an agreement to join Galatasaray**.
* The move to Turkey is expected to be completed unless Barcelona demand a large transfer fee.

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### ⚽ **Why Martínez?**

* With **Andre Onana** heavily criticized for inconsistent and error-prone displays (and United finishing a shocking **15th in the league** in this alternate context), there’s an urgent need for a **reliable shot-stopper**.
* Martínez brings:

* 🔒 **Top-tier reflexes**
* 🧠 **Big-match mentality** (see World Cup 2022 final)
* 🗣️ **Commanding presence** in the box
* He’s also proven in the **Premier League** and wants to **stay in England**, making this a low-risk, high-upside move.

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### 💸 **Transfer Fee & Villa’s Stance**

* Villa are unlikely to **actively block** the move if a suitable bid comes in, especially with Unai Emery preparing for **European football** and potential squad restructuring.
* The fee could fall in the **£30–40 million range**, though United may try to structure a deal creatively given Financial Fair Play considerations.

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### 🧠 Final Thought:

With **Marc-André ter Stegen off the table**, and **Onana falling out of favour**, **Martínez emerges as a top, Premier League-proven solution** for a club in desperate need of stability at the back. His arrival could signal the beginning of a more pragmatic rebuild under **Ruben Amorim**, who values discipline and tactical balance.

Would you like a scouting comparison between Martínez, Onana, and Ter Stegen based on their last season’s stats?