Man Utd to make hijack offer for Onana replacement TODAY

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Jun 2024 10:50 CDT
4 min read

Man Utd will make an offer for Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martinez today, according to a report.

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The Red Devils signed two new goalkeepers last summer in Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, securing the former for €50.2 million from Inter and the latter for €5m from Fenerbahce.

However, neither enjoyed a particularly great first season at Old Trafford. Onana was the undisputed starter under his former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, but a string of errors, particularly early on in the campaign, saw him come under heavy criticism.

Turkey's No.1 Bayindir, meanwhile, only managed to get on the pitch once - when Onana was away for AFCON duties with Cameroon - and has been frequently linked with a quick exit from Manchester.

Speculation surrounding Man Utd's goalkeeping department has rarely dissipated over the past 12 months, but it has still nevertheless been assumed that they would not dip into the market for a new shot-stopper this summer as they have much more pressing issues in other areas.

© IMAGO - Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir

Man Utd to make Martinez offer?

However, a bold new claim has now cast doubt on this assumption. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri asserts that Man Utd hold an interest in Genoa keeper Josep Martinez and he went so far as to state that they will make an offer for the Spaniard today.

He claims that Man Utd want to push for Martinez and strike a quick deal. This is due to the fact that the former RB Leipzig man is close to joining Inter.

The 26-year-old agreed personal terms with the Serie A champions last week and club-to-club discussions over a swap deal are in the final stages, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Inter replaced Man Utd-bound Onana with Yann Sommer as a short-term option and tried to sign Anatoliy Trubin for the long term, but the latter ultimately ended up at Benfica. Sommer had a spectacular season, but he is 35 and Inter are keen to shore up that position for the foreseeable future with Martinez.

It must be said, though, that it would be a major surprise if Man Utd were to make a hijack attempt for Martinez.