Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had an opportunity to join Manchester United last summer.
That’s according to the 31-year-old’s agent, Gonzalo Goñi, and he revealed this during a chat with ESPN Fútbol 12.
The deal to take the Aston Villa star to Manchester United was close, and the agent has stated why the transfer didn’t materialise in the end.
David de Gea left the Red Devils at the end of 2022/23 season, forcing the Red Devils to look for a new stopper.
Manchester United ended up signing André Onana and Altay Bayındır from Inter Milan and Fenerbahçe respectively. The 28-year-old Cameroonian had previously played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, and was the first-choice stopper under the Dutchman last season.
When ESPN asked the agent whether the Argentina international client had an opportunity to join a top club, he revealed the failed move to Manchester United in 2023.
“Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach chose Onana, because he already knew him,” he said.
“But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martínez.”
Last season, the Aston Villa goalkeeper kept 15 clean sheets and conceded 61 goals from 47 games, while Onana had 13 clean sheets and conceded 83 goals from 51 matches for the Red Devils.
