A source close to Eniliano Martinez has revealed that Aston Villa refused to sanction a deadline day transfer to Manchester United for the 2022 World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
Martinez spent much of the summer linked with a move away from Aston Villa, having seemingly waved an emotional farewell to supporters at the end of last season. He was the subject of fleeting rumours early on, but genuine movement only surfaced late in the transfer window when Manchester United expressed serious interest.
Reports suggest United turned their attention to the 33-year-old after Ruben Amorim grew disillusioned with both Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır. Ultimately, United completed a deal for Senne Lammens instead, leaving Martinez in the Midlands despite claims he had agreed personal terms with Amorim’s side.
Villa’s determination to keep hold of their first-choice keeper is widely believed to have been the decisive factor in blocking his Old Trafford switch.
“I was told that Emi gave a lot as a professional and as a person, they love him, and you could see that on the pitch. He is well-liked, and the directors didn’t want to sell him because he is the key player in the team, and another team wanted him. It was that commercial dispute,” Alejandro Martinez, the brother of Villa’s goalie told DSports Radio.
“These are decisions made by club officials. It didn’t happen, but it’s like everything else in business. The sporting side of things was left out of it, and everything is fine. Emi never had an argument with Unai; it was all within the management’s control, and the clubs couldn’t agree.
“At Aston Villa, he’s the Diego [Maradona] of Napoli. He gave a lot at Villa, like Kun [Sergio Agüero] did at [Manchester] City, like Leo [Messi] did at Barça. They’re legendary players, and it’s going to be hard to surpass what he did at Aston Villa.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
