Why Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez didn’t join Manchester United despite ‘deal agreed’ on transfer deadline day

Emiliano Martínez was denied a transfer to Manchester United because another target had no interest in moving to Aston Villa, it has been revealed.

Villa have scored one goal and won two points in their first five matches of the Premier League season. Martínez missed two of those matches, first because of suspension and then because he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play against Crystal Palace.

The home defeat against the Eagles was on the evening before transfer deadline day and it was widely assumed that Martínez would then get his move. Instead, Villa brought United winger Jadon Sancho in on loan and signed former Red Devils defender Victor Lindelöf on a free on the last day of the window but the goalkeeper stayed put.

The seriousness of United’s interest in Martínez is a matter of some speculation but he was clearly aware of some kind of possibility of a deadline day move. It didn’t materialise. Martínez remained at Villa and United signed Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, apparently identified as their preferred option.

But the 22-year-old was also reportedly in the frame to join Villa and free Martínez up to head for Old Trafford. Antwerp and Villa had even agreed a fee.

What really happened on deadline day?

According to Voetbal Primeur, Antwerp director of football Marc Overmars confirmed that Lammens had the option of joining Villa and the future of Martínez was tied up in that deal.

“We started as losers on deadline day,” said the former Barcelona and Arsenal winger.

“We had a deal with Aston Villa, but Martínez still had to leave, and Senne didn’t want to go there. Only then did Manchester United make their first offer. Lower than Aston Villa. Four hours later, we finally reached an agreement.”

Lammens is yet to make his United debut despite the loan departure of Andre Onana to Trabzonspor, while Martínez went straight back into the Villa side after the international break.

Villa might have expected a warmer reaction from the Belgian goalkeeper. He would have expected to step in as first choice at either club but Villa have European football to offer in the form of the Europa League this season and United, for all the money they spent in the summer, still look well off the pace.

Villa’s own struggles will ease any regrets on the part of the player, who seemingly had his heart set on Old Trafford from the beginning.

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