- United reach personal agreement with Martinez
- Swap deal involving Sancho could be on the cards
- Lammens approached by Unai Emery’s side
According to a report from The Athletic the possibility of Sancho joining Villa in a swap deal has emerged amid United’s interest in signing goalkeeper Martinez. The 25-year-old has no future at United after spending the 2024-25 season on loan at Chelsea. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has already claimed United have struck a personal agreement with Martinez.
United are desperate to find a solution to their goalkeeping woes, with neither Andre Onana nor Altay Bayindir impressing this season. The Red Devils have been in contact with Martinez over a move to Old Trafford since January, with the 32-year-old on a contract at Villa Park which runs until 2029, and the club are said to value the custodian at £40 million (€46m$54m). Since the valuation is believed to be beyond what United are willing to spend on a new goalkeeper, they are considering including Sancho in a swap deal in an attempt to bring down the fee. The Englishman’s options are narrowing by the minute after his proposed loan move to Roma fell through, with the player’s wage demands making it difficult to find suitors around Europe.
On the other hand, United are also in talks to snap up Lammens from Belgian side Royal Antwerp, making an improved offer of £20 million (€23m/$27m). The Athletic though, claim Antwerp are standing firm on their €25m valuation for the 23-year-old. In what could be a big twist to this transfer saga, Fabrizio Romano further added Villa have formally approached Antwerp in an attempt to sign Lammens, while Porto and Portuguese international goalkeeper Diogo Costa remains an option.
Amorim’s troops registered their first victory of the season on Saturday as they beat Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford. They will hope they can complete the deal for either Lammens or Martinez before the transfer window deadline on September 1 and have the new signing in goal for their first game after the international break against rivals Manchester City on September 14.
