Manchester United have opened concrete talks to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to reports in Argentina.
United have long been linked with a move for Martinez, who could be available for transfer this summer due to Villa’s financial situation.
The Red Devils were considering signing a new goalkeeper but were reportedly not ready to pull the trigger unless they could sell current first choice Andre Onana.
However, United may have been forced to change tack after Onana picked up an injury in pre-season training which could rule him out of the start of the new Premier League season.
Reports in Argentina from TyC Sports suggest the club have now begun club-to-club talks with Villa over a deal for the World Cup winner.
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The report adds that Ruben Amorim sees the transfer as a ‘priority’, with United the most advanced of any clubs negotiating a deal for Martinez.
The 32-year-old is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford despite their woeful campaign last year, but has been coy when previously asked about his future.
‘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 in June.
‘Do I want to move to a new club? The transfer window just opened, so there’s still a long way to go.’
A fee of around £40-45million could be required to prise Martinez away from Villa, with Chelsea another club that were reportedly given the chance to sign the Argentine earlier in the window.
Elsewhere, United are still looking to wrap up a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo to provide more attacking reinforcements following the singing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
The Bees are said to be holding out for a £65m fee, but United are yet to return with a third bid after their first two were rejected.
Such a delay in the deal is said to have frustrated Mbeumo, who has clearly indicated he would like to move to United this summer.
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