Manchester United eventually made the move to sign a goalkeeper on transfer deadline day following Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana dismal start to the new season.
Throughout the summer, Ruben Amorim sought to expand his options in goal, but the position was considered a “secondary priority” and an attacking overhaul was given more emphasis.
Prior to agreeing to pay £18.2 million to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, United spent over £200 million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko.
Despite rival interest in Aston Villa goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, it was still uncertain which goalkeeper United would pursue on the last morning of the European window.
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In July, United had already had a loan request for Martinez turned down. According to Manchester World, the 33-year-old was ‘certain’ that he was going to Old Trafford and was ‘disappointed’ that the deadline-day move never happened.
The Athletic reported that it was ‘an open secret’ around Villa’s training ground that Martinez planned to leave this summer and had told staff and players he would be moving.
Martinez Agent Contacts Man United Over Move
Several reports claimed Martinez’s representatives had been in contact with United since the beginning of the season, and he had even discussed a potential move to Manchester with Amorim and his international teammate Lisandro Martinez.
In the closing hours of the transfer window, Villa had been watching Lammens as a potential replacement for Martinez because they believed the 23-year-old Belgian to be “more consistent” than Porto star Diogo Costa.
However, United chose Lammens instead, depriving Martinez of the lifeline he had relied on on the deadline day.
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