Aston Villa make Emi Martinez decision as Man Utd step up transfer chase

Fresh speculation over the future of Emi Martinez has been fuelled by the news that the Manchester United-linked goalkeeper is NOT in the Aston Villa squad to face Crystal Palace.

Martinez, 32, was heavily linked with United earlier in the summer. But news that United were considering making a last-ditch attempt to lure him to Old Trafford before the end of the transfer winodw emerged on Sunday morning.

United have been in talks with Royal Antwerp over a deal for their 23-year-old goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, with The Telegraph reporting that the club have tabled an improved offer for the player ahead of Monday night's transfer deadline.

Martinez is an option if a deal for the Belgian cannot be achieved with reports from Europe confirming that the World Cup winner and Manchester United have already reached an agreement on personal terms ahead of a potential switch.

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United have decided to step up their pursuit of a new goalkeeper in the wake of poor performances from both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in the opening weeks of the season.

Neither has convinced between the posts with Bayindir looking shaky in each of United's three Premier League fixtures this term. Onana was also at fault for a goal in midweek as United fell to a chastening defeat against Grimsby Town of League Two in the Carabao Cup.

In the wake of Martinez's omission from the team, Unai Emery was quizzed by Sky Sports about his first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the game. When he was asked why Martinez was not involved he replied: "Marco Bizot". He repearted that answer when he was asked Martinez was: "Marco Bizot". Emery was then asked a final question, will he be your future goalkeeper. He replied: "Marco Bizot. Ok the time is over. Thank you."

Martinez wants to leave Villa Park and contact between his representatives and Manchester United has gone back as far as January, per The Athletic. Intriguingly, Villa will move for Lammens if they do sanction an exit for Martinez before the transfer deadline on Monday night.

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