Wayne Rooney has agreed on the deadline day signing of a “fantastic” star for Manchester United amid Rúben Amorim’s need for a new goalkeeper.
Manchester United are moving closer to signing a goalkeeper in the final days of the summer transfer window, with concerns over André Onana and Altay Bayındır, though it is still unclear who will arrive.
The club have been in discussions with Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens, but negotiations have proven more complicated than expected, with both the transfer details and personal terms still unresolved.
Rúben Amorim is determined to strengthen in goal, and on Sunday, reports emerged that United had revived their interest in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, who is keen on a switch to Old Trafford.
While Villa rejected a loan approach for the Argentina international earlier this summer, United have since agreed personal terms with the player and are continuing talks with Villa to finalise a deal.
Ferdinand wants Martínez over Lammens or Donnarumma
While Lammens and Martínez have been United’s two clear goalkeeping choices across deadline day, United had previously been linked to Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who looks set to sign for Manchester City.
However, former United defender Rio Ferdinand has explained that, given a choice of the above three players, he would still prefer United to sign Martínez.
“Martínez, World Cup-winning goalkeeper. Definitive moment in a World Cup final. Loads of big games and had to play in them. Wow. He’s a good goalkeeper,” Ferdinand stated on his YouTube channel.
He continued: “I think a lot of people are talking about Martínez, Lammens is the other young 23-year-old goalkeeper they’ve been talking about making that again. Or Donnarumma, people have been saying.
“I’ve got to be honest with you, if they got Martínez out of them three, I’d be absolutely fine and happy with it, Martínez.”
Rooney agrees with Ferdinand’s assessment
Speaking on his own show, The Wayne Rooney Show, former United striker and club legend Wayne Rooney reiterated Ferdinand’s assessment of the deadline day goalkeeper situation, stating Martínez is the best pick.
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“No, I think Martinez is obviously a top goalkeeper,” Rooney said when assessing United’s goalkeeping options ahead of deadline day.
“And I think if that could happen, then great. I think him or Donnarumma, for me, would be a fantastic acquisition.
“I think it’s clear they need a goalkeeper. I think it’s every game we seem to be talking about mistakes or, you know, the goalkeepers not filling the defence with confidence.”
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