A Cunha repeat: Man Utd in daily talks to sign "world-class" £40m star

Manchester United might have fallen by the wayside under Ruben Amorim's leadership last season, but INEOS are acting with intent in the transfer market to get Old Trafford back on course.

While Erik ten Hag's dismissal last October was the right decision, a belated decision, a wholly different tactical plan issued by Amorim sank United further into their troubles, leading to a 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

But the Red Devils are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and their peerless pull is still intact. Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha has already been signed, and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo wants the move despite rival interest carrying the promise of Champions League football.

And once again, another Premier League star with their feet higher placed up the league ladder wants to move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer.

Man Utd in talks for PL star

As per Football Insider, Man United are engaged in daily talks with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who is anticipated to be switching clubs this summer.

The 32-year-old bid an emotional and cryptic farewell to Villa Park in May and is valued at £40m. This is a sizeable figure for a goalkeeper, but the need to replace the beleaguered Andre Onana is clear for Amorim, and it must happen.

Atletico Madrid are also keen, as are numerous clubs over in the Saudi Pro League. Still, United are working tooth and nail to get this one over the line.

Why Man Utd must sign Emi Martinez

Described as being "genuinely world-class" by Sky Sports' Dan Bardell, Martinez would be exactly the type of upgrade Man United need to spark their desperately needed resurgence.

An Arsenal career largely on the backbenches and out on loan in lower divisions ended when Aston Villa paid the Gunners £17m for the shot-stopper in 2020. The rest, as some say, is history.

Emi Martinez - Career Statistics Club Apps Conceded Clean Sheets Aston Villa 212 256 70 Argentina 53 23 37 Arsenal 38 41 16 Arsenal U21 37 41 11 Reading 18 23 5 Wolves 15 19 5 Sheff Wed 15 19 2 Rotherham 8 10 2 Getafe 6 9 2 Oxford United 1 3 0 Data via Transfermarkt

United have already raided England's Midlands for one of the region's most talented footballers, signing Cunha for £62.5m, and now they can repeat the trick between the sticks, upgrading on Onana in the same way that the Brazilian forward has replaced Marcus Rashford and soon-to-be-sold Alejandro Garnacho.

Clearly, these are different players indeed, but both stand as pillars in their respective Premier League positions, instrumental for their respective 'non-big-six' outfits.

Underscoring his credentials on the biggest stage, Martinez was only beaten seven times in the Champions League last term, finishing Villa's European campaign with an 83% save percentage. By contrast, Onana finished the season with a 63% save rate in the Europa League, leaving a trail littered with errors.

Martinez is a proven Premier League and Champions League goalkeeper who just so happens to have won the World Cup too, coming up trumps against Randal Kolo Muani in extra time before crucially saving from Kingsley Coman during the shootout.

He's exactly what Amorim needs, blessed with good distribution and elite shot-stopping skills.

United have already raided the Midlands this summer for one of the Premier League's biggest stars; it's time to do it again.

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