Manchester United Target Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez Amid Goalkeeper Shake-Up

Manchester United have set their sights on Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, according to a report from Transfer News Live on May 20, 2025. The 32-year-old Argentine, who has been a cornerstone for Villa since his £20million move from Arsenal in 2020, is reportedly being courted by the Red Devils as they look to bolster their squad. Martínez’s impressive stats this season—96 saves and 8 clean sheets in 36 starts, per ESPN—make him a prime target.

The move comes amid uncertainty surrounding United’s current goalkeeper, André Onana, who was recently dropped for a match against St James’ Park, as noted by The Athletic. Onana’s struggles in the Premier League and a book value of £26.3m have complicated United’s plans, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to explore alternatives. Roy Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, called Martínez’s potential exit a “big loss” for Villa after the keeper appeared to wave goodbye to fans following their final home game.

Fans have mixed reactions, with some questioning why Martínez would “downgrade” to United, while others see him as an upgrade over Onana. Barcelona are also reportedly in the race, setting the stage for a heated transfer battle this summer.