Aston Villa are reportedly eyeing a move for Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana, with Emiliano Martinez courting interest from Manchester United.
Aston Villa have put plans in place to potentially replace regular number-one goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is a reported target for Manchester United. That is according to a report from Calciomercato, which claims Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is on Aston Villa’s shortlist of potential Martinez successors.
Emiliano Martinez’s career has continued to go from strength to strength both at club and international level ever since leaving the bench-warming role at the Emirates for a regular starting role at Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, collecting Copa America and World Cup winners’ medals across just 26 caps for his country.
The 30-year-old Argentine international was the best goalkeeper in the World Cup, as he helped his country create history by winning the ever-elusive trophy. Martinez has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League as well and was named the club’s Player of the Season in his debut season at Villa Park. He has made almost 100 competitive appearances for the Villains to date, keeping 33 clean sheets in the process.
Martinez reaffirmed his commitment to the Midlands club by putting pen to paper on a new deal until 2027 earlier this season. But he has been constantly linked with a move away since announcing himself on the world stage.
The Argentine gloveman is apparently aiming to “make the leap” to a top club, with Manchester United being a possible destination. David de Gea’s contract at Old Trafford is set to run out this summer, with the Red Devils yet to exercise the option to extend his time at the club.
Martinez has done little to temper the transfer speculation after admitting that his next objective is to lift the Champions League, which would be difficult to achieve at Villa. Manchester United will need to bring in a quality replacement for de Gea, who might be offloaded given his exorbitant wages. And signing one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in Martinez will help them maintain the same standards.
Villa are said to be open to listening to bids for their number one, although they are not eager to sell and will want top dollar for their prized asset now that they can boast of having the best goalkeeper in the world. If he leaves, a replacement will be required.
To that end, Inter Milan’s Andre Onana is on their wishlist. The Cameroonian goalkeeper signed for the Nerazzurri on a free transfer from Ajax at the end of the 2021/22 season. And after a slow start, he has now established himself as a regular in Simone Inzaghi’s side, taking over the number-one position from club captain Samir Handanovic.
However, Inter have struggled to balance the books in recent times and are ready to sell Onana to raise funds through the transfer market. The Serie A giants will consider bids as low as €28 million for the 26-year-old shot-stopper. And that would be some bargain if Villa can pull it off. Only time will tell whether this intriguing goalkeeper transfer merry-go-round will happen come summer.
