Aston Villa are braced for Man United to make an offer for their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League giants are assessing potential candidates to replace long-term number one David de Gea amid new doubts over his Old Trafford future.
This is yet to be agreed by the goalkeeper, who wants to continue playing at the highest level and is now considering his options.
It means United are now weighing up their options, who include Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as well as Villa’s World Cup winner.
Martinez is highly rated by United’s recruitment team and they have been watching him closely during his three seasons at Villa, where he has flourished into one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
United staff have what is said to be a “concrete” interest in the former Arsenal man and they have been further impressed by the elite mentality he demonstrated as Argentina won the World Cup in remarkable circumstances.
Martinez has made a big impact at Villa since signing in the summer of 2020 for an initial £17million rising to £20million.
He is now valued at beyond the £40m mark and that is the kind of bid that could tempt the Midlands club into negotiations.
Football Insider revealed last Novembe) that the goalkeeper’s long-term future at Villa Park is under threat amid continued friction with new boss Unai Emery – which dates back to their time together at Arsenal.
Meanwhile, United let Dean Henderson leave the club on loan to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2022 and have been open to selling him permanently.
It would seem unlikely that Henderson returns to Old Trafford as the first choice after giving an interview blasting “criminal” club chiefs for “wasting” a year of his career during the 2021-22 campaign.
In other news, Aston Villa to finalise two midfielder signings and accept Dendoncker offer
