Martinez to Man Utd: Ten Hag REJECTED 'best in the world' for Onana

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Jul 2024 17:22 BST
3 min read

Emiliano Martinez, Argentina, Aston Villa, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Erik ten Hag turned down the chance to sign Emiliano Martinez last year, according to his agent.

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The Argentine goalkeeper has become one of if not the best in his position in recent years, playing a crucial role in his country's World Cup victory in 2022. As a result, the Aston Villa star has been the subject of intense transfer speculation for some time.

The former Arsenal man has most recently been associated with Chelsea, though it seems unlikely that a transfer will materialise. With Aston Villa, Martinez will get to show off his talents in the Champions League next term, so it is clear that the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side.

Despite this, it seems that Martinez would perhaps not even be playing for the Villans anymore had it not been for Erik ten Hag. At least that is according to the 31-year-old's agent.

Ten Hag rejected Martinez

After Martinez spared Lionel Messi's blushes in the Copa America, saving the decisive penalty kick against Ecuador after the 38-year-old legend had hit the bar with a panenka attempt, his representative Gonzalo Goni spoke to ESPN about the eccentric shot-stopper.

"I think he has become the best in the world, by far," Goni said. "He has reinvented the goalkeeping position. Now everyone wants to be a goalkeeper."

"Today he is in one of the best projects, last year he was very close to Man Utd, but the coach opted for [Andre] Onana because he already knew him. But everyone at Man Utd later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to sign was Emiliano Martínez."

Last summer, Ten Hag reunited with his former Ajax shot-stopper Onana for €50.2 million after David de Gea left Man Utd on a free transfer. However, the Cameroon international had a season marred by frequent errors, particularly in the early stages.

As for Martinez, his agent did not rule out a summer transfer: "Everything is never decided: we are having conversations, listening, watching and we will see. But perhaps he will put Aston Villa on a par with the greats of Europe."