Emi Martinez

[cdward]

Messi owes Emi again. Just as well, as that Penanka miss won't be talked about as much now.

[Drummond]

Agent of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez claims Argentine nearly joined instead
Ten Hag retains ability to block transfers
By Tom Gott

3:30 PM GMT+1

The agent of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has claimed the Argentina international was "very close" to joining Manchester United last summer.

United needed to sign a new stopper in 2023 after David de Gea left the club upon the expiry of his contract, with manager Erik ten Hag ultimately opting to pursue a reunion with Andre Onana, who dazzled under the Dutchman before joining Inter.

However, Martinez's agent has insisted that United actually wanted to land the Villa goalkeeper before Ten Hag's move for Onana.

"Today he is in one of the best projects" agent Gonzalo Goni told ESPN. "Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach opted for Onana, because he already knew him.

"But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martinez."

[PeterWithesShin]

So they never bid for him but were very close to signing him? Yeah ok. Tom Gott fuck all of substance to say.

[cdbearsfan]

Sounds like when Doug was in charge and we were always incredibly close to signing some superstar right after they'd signed for someone else.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Sounds like the agent took a phone call from Man U, a discussion was had, conditions put on the table but I don't believe Emi was involved. He was probably off playing football somewhere with a big 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign on the door.

Plus, Emi has never hinted at a move, quite the opposite.

[AV84]

I wouldn't be surprised if there was truth in this. I'd be more concerned about why he's bringing it up now.

[dave shelley]

I saw this earlier today, Football Insider I think.  I’m going with bullshit unless anyone can confirm otherwise.

[Villan For Life]

Emi is going nowhere, he’s at a club where he’s adored and where his ambition is matched.

[olaftab]

Last year I was very close to buying both Tesla and SpaceX but ended up with buying a bag of frozen chips from Lidl. It was the best alternative IMO. However everyone at my house still says that buying Tesla and SpaceX would have been better.

[Toronto Villa]

Remember after the WC when some feared he was gone for sure. Too big for little old Aston Villa. Yet once he came off those massive post WC win benders that never happened he told the world how important Villa and family was to him. Having the best players should be what we strive for. We don’t have enough of them. And it comes with the territory that they will be linked with other clubs further up the food chain. Doesn’t mean the player themselves wants to go. As a club we need to keep providing our top players the best chance of success personally and professionally. That hasn’t always happened in the past. With the current set up, from owner through the squad and fans we have a really solid platform to do that.

[Rigadon]

If you think players heads don’t get turned by being wanted elsewhere you’re deluded.  Of course they want as much money as possible and of course they want to play at clubs competing to win stuff.  This is why getting into the CL was so huge for the club.  Win the conference league and finish 8th? Great, but see ya later Watkins and Martinez.  Ask West Ham fans about their old captain. 

[Dogtanian]

In that Heck interview recently posted he says that the club has all the things it needs to be one of the best clubs in the world.

I know lots of people say things like that when they take over, but this is after six years of non-stop progress. They have put together a group of people who really buy into that and are capable of delivering both on and off the pitch.

There will always be players who want it all now, without effort, and there will always be players who want to move on after a time.

But while we have this culture of ambition, and the visible progress to back it up, we will be able to attract and keep top players.

[Dante Lavelli]

Until our commercial income catches up selling the odd player needs to happen. Plannning for that is the hard bit and, with Martinez, there is no Plan B (Olsen?) so it won’t happen.

[Monty]

Agent chats shit shock. 'Very close' my arse.

[Rigadon]

Agent chats shit shock. 'Very close' my arse.

Why do you find it so hard to believe?  Not at all having a dig, just curious.