Manchester United’s reported pursuit of Emi Martínez may have taken an interesting turn amid the emergence of an Aston Villa release clause.
Manchester United are said to be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer as Rúben Amorim continues his overhaul of the squad ahead of his first full season in charge.
Although Amorim and André Onana enjoy a strong working relationship, as exclusively reported by UtdDistrict, the Cameroonian’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Onana, 29, has shown flashes of the quality that led to his move from Inter Milan, but inconsistency has raised questions about his role going forward.
After securing a £62.5 million deal for Matheus Cunha and continuing efforts to sign Bryan Mbeumo for a similar fee, Amorim is now expected to turn his attention to bringing in a new goalkeeper.
With Onana sidelined by a hamstring injury that will see him miss pre-season and possibly the start of the Premier League campaign, and with Altay Bayindir expected to leave, United are in urgent need of reinforcements in goal.
United learn about Martínez release clause
Over the last month or so, it has become clear that Aston Villa’s Emi Martínez is keen to sign for United this summer, although the club are not willing to meet the Birmingham side’s £40 million asking price.
However, fresh reports from Argentina have thrown doubt on United needing to pay as high as £40 million, with the country’s biggest outlet, Clarín, claiming that there is a release clause of around £21.6 million in his contract.
Clarín report that Martínez has “everything ready” to sign for United, and that the transfer is close after Amorim gave his approval to secure the 32-year-old shot-stopper.
Further, it’s claimed that United have progressed in talks in recent days, with negotiations set to continue.
United want to repeat Zirkzee transfer trick
Last summer, United signed Joshua Zirkzee for £36 million, despite the £34 million release clause in his Bologna contract, as they wanted to spread the payment across several seasons rather than paying the £34 million upfront.
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As commented by Sport Witness, United are willing to pay more than the “bargain” £21.6 million release clause as they want to avoid paying the fee up front, repeating the agreement they struck for Zirkzee.
While Barcelona, Galatasaray, and various Arab clubs have been keen on securing the Argentina international, the player himself sees signing for United as a “qualitative leap” in his career.
With United continuing to focus on signing Mbeumo from Brentford, Martínez having a release clause, it hands the club a much easier set of negotiations for Martínez, if they move to secure the player.
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