Shock Premier League club 'join race' to sign Emiliano Martinez as Man Utd decision made

Another Premier League giant have been reportedly offered the prospect of joining Manchester United in the chase for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.

Speculation surrounds the future of the 32-year-old goalkeeper due to PSR concerns at the Villa Park club and fears they could fall foul of the Premier League's rules unless they make sales.

Martinez has been at Villa since 2020 after making the switch from Arsenal and has gone on to make 212 appearances for the West Midlands club.

He also starred after winning the World Cup with Argentina after the South American nation emerged victorious in the 2022 tournament which was held in Qatar over the winter.

For United, question marks surround the goalkeeping position following indifferent performances from Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

So far this summer at Old Trafford though, the focus has been upon securing firepower at the top end of the pitch after a disappointing campaign in front of goal.

United have already signed attacker Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, while a second bid has been turned down by Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo, who has told his current club of his desire to move to Old Trafford if he is to depart the Bees.

But another Premier League side has now entered the race to become Martinez's next club and potentially see him remain in England's top flight.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. (Image: Getty)

According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Martinez, with a price tag of £45m mentioned as the Villans seek to balance their books.

The Stamford Bridge side have an interest after both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have failed to take their opportunity to impress Enzo Maresca, who guided Chelsea back into the Champions League in his first campaign in charge.

Chelsea assistant manager Willy Cabellero is also said to be a 'huge admirer' of Martinez.

United meanwhile would need to find a buyer for Onana if they are to sign a new number one goalkeeper, with a price of £35m set for the Cameroon international.

If he does leave Villa, Martinez's last appearance for the club will have been the 2-0 loss against United at Old Trafford where he was shown a straight red card for fouling Rasmus Hojlund outside the box as the Danish striker went one-on-one.

The loss meant Unai Emery's side missed out on Champions League football for the upcoming campaign, losing out on a top five finish on goal difference behind Newcastle United, and will play in the Europa League instead.