Premier League Star Set To Move To Manchester United For €25 Million: Will It Be A Big Setback? | OneFootball

The calm at Aston Villa seems to have been short-lived. After a season where Unai Emery’s side managed to miss out on a Champions League spot but compete so well against the big boys, a shadow is looming over Birmingham. The dressing room’s most iconic figure, Emiliano Martinez, is reportedly set to end his time as a Villan.

You can’t say the signs were not there. His long embrace with the fans in the last game, the lack of clarity in his recent statements and, now, a report that seems to confirm it all. At Villa Park, they know that losing him is not just about replacing a goalkeeper; it is about losing character, leadership and confidence in goal.

Manchester United look to rebuild their goal

In Manchester, the Red Devils have a sense of urgency around them. The last few seasons have been unstable. The investments have been high, but the results have not been convincing. Andre Onana arrived with huge expectations, but his mistakes and lack of confidence in key matches last season have left doubts.

The club know that they cannot afford any more missteps. Hence, the board wants real solutions, not gambles. They need someone with presence, someone who won’t hide in those pressure moments. The Red Devils are looking for a reliable player who can command from the back, who can transmit security, and who can withstand the pressure at Old Trafford.

Emiliano Martinez, closer and closer to United

According to Clarin, quoted by Sport Witness, Emiliano Martinez is set to swap Birmingham for Manchester this summer. The €25 million release clause in his contract has been key. Villa did not want to sell, but the contractual conditions have taken away the club’s room for manoeuvre. The Argentine wants the challenge, and United see him as the immediate solution for their goal.

Martinez has been decisive since his arrival at Villa in 2020. His experience, competitive nature and reflexes have made him one of the best in the world. With Argentina, he won two Copa Americas and a World Cup. With Villa, although Martinez did not win titles, he was the heart and soul of the team. He always saved points, and he always showed up when they needed him most.

A hard blow for Aston Villa that leaves few options

Losing Martinez for just €25 million represents a low blow for Aston Villa. It’s not just about the price, it’s about the impact. With 70 clean sheets in 212 games, he was the backbone of the team. The Argentine’s departure destabilises a project that has just consolidated itself in Europe. The defence will lose their voice, and the dressing room will lose a leader. Moreover, Unai Emery loses his most trusted man in goal just before the most demanding year of his project.

Faced with this, the club must make a decision. Aaron Ramsdale could be a practical solution. He is 27, has Premier League experience and a relegation clause with Southampton. He could arrive for around £20m. Lucas Chevalier, with 11 clean sheets in Ligue 1 and the goalkeeper of the season award, would be a more high-profile but expensive gamble. Bulka, from Nice, can also be on the radar: young, cheap and agile with his feet. The only thing is that Villa need to choose well, and there is no room for mistakes now.

Replacing personality and quality, not an easy task

Martinez is not just about reflexes and saves. He is the goalkeeper who shouts, who pushes, who breaks the opponent’s concentration in penalties. He is the one who celebrates every save as a goal. That energy is contagious. The Argentine’s departure leaves an emotional and sporting void. Emery will have to decide quickly: does he want another leader or does he want to develop a new one?