Martinez not going to Man United, new club on interested list

Emiliano Martinez faces an uncertain yet eventful summer as speculation surrounds his future at Aston Villa. Despite having time on his hands before the start of pre-season training, the Argentine goalkeeper has already encountered a setback. Martinez, who had reportedly been eyeing a potential move to Manchester United, has seen that option lose steam as the Red Devils have shown little to no interest in pursuing him. This development was recently highlighted in a report by British outlet The Telegraph.

Martinez’s desire to join Manchester United seems clear, but the lack of movement from the club stems mainly from the presence of their current number one, Andre Onana. Onana has no intention of leaving Old Trafford and is expected to remain a key figure in Erik ten Hag’s plans. As a result, United is not actively seeking a new goalkeeper, effectively ruling out Martinez’s dream transfer — at least for now.

While Manchester United has stepped back, another European powerhouse appears to be stepping forward. According to The Telegraph, Atletico Madrid is now seriously considering a move for Martinez. The Spanish side, who are known for their defensive resilience under Diego Simeone, may be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer. This potential opening at Atletico comes amidst ongoing speculation about the future of their current long-term shot-stopper, Jan Oblak.

Oblak, who has served as Atletico’s number one for nearly a decade, is reportedly considering his future at the club. The Slovenian international, now 32 years old, is currently with the team at the Club World Cup, but rumors of a possible exit have resurfaced once again. These rumors have become something of a recurring theme in recent years, yet this time they appear to be gaining more traction. Should Oblak indeed depart, Atletico may act swiftly to bring in Martinez as a direct replacement.

Apart from Atletico, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also eyeing Martinez. The league, which has been aggressively recruiting top-tier talent in recent transfer windows, sees Martinez as a valuable addition. However, despite the lucrative financial offers that Saudi clubs could make, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper reportedly has no interest in leaving Europe at this stage of his career. His preference to remain in Europe gives clubs like Atletico a competitive edge in securing his signature.

Interestingly, despite the flurry of speculation, Manchester United is not completely out of the picture. There have been minor murmurs linking Martinez to United, but sources close to the club suggest that no formal discussions or offers have taken place. As long as Onana remains settled and in form, United’s goalkeeping situation appears locked in, making a move for Martinez unlikely unless unexpected changes occur.

Adding to the complexity of Martinez’s situation is the financial position of his current club, Aston Villa. The Premier League’s financial fair play regulations may push Villa to make some difficult decisions this summer. To balance the books, the club could be forced to part ways with a few high-value players — and Martinez could be among those placed on the transfer list if a suitable offer arrives. Villa have already sold players in recent windows, such as Colombian striker Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr in January and Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad last summer, highlighting the possibility of more departures.

In summary, while Emiliano Martinez’s next move remains uncertain, the summer transfer window could bring major changes to his career path. With Manchester United cooling their interest and Atletico Madrid potentially preparing to make a move, all eyes will be on how Villa, Martinez, and interested clubs navigate the coming weeks.