Aston Villa are preparing for major potential squad exit in the coming weeks as Manchester United chase down Emiliano Martinez.
The Red Devils were linked with an offer for the Argentina international at the end of last season but their need has now been heightened following Andre Onana's injury.
Onana will miss the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, and could be sidelined until September, due to a hamstring issue.
Alongside overall doubts over Ruben Amorim's faith in the former Inter Milan stopper remaining as his No.1, this latest setback has intensified United's eagerness to sign a new goal keeper, and Martinez is their current first-choice pick
Unai Emery is aware of United's interest, and Martinez's potential willingness for a new challenge, but a deal is far from complete at this stage.
With a contract in place until 2029, Villa are under no pressure to sell even if their £35m valuation is met, and the final details could come down to the player's intentions.
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Martinez has racked up an incredible 181 Premier League appearances for Villa since his move from Arsenal in 2020 and Emery is willing to sell if he cannot persuade the 32-year-old to stay.
With Emery and Villa both preparing for an exit, the club have moved swiftly to line up a replacement, as Dutch veteran Marco Bizot flies in for transfer talks.
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Who is Marco Bizot: Transfer fee set for Villa's Martinez replacement
Dutch international Bizot has enjoyed a nomadic career across continental Europe with spells in his native Netherlands and Belgium before landing at Ligue 1 side Brest in 2021.
The 34-year-old ever-present in Brest's famous first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign in 2024/25, but both parties are looking to part ways.
Bizot's current contract expires at the end of 2025/26, with no indication he will sign a renewal, and Brest see this as their final chance to secure a transfer fee.
As per reports from French outlet L'Equipe, Bizot has rejected an offer from newly-promoted Leeds United, as he wants to join Villa in a €5m [$4.3m] deal.
Similarly to Martinez, Bizot has developed into a fans favourite at Brest, but the Ligue 1 side are confident this is the right time to sell.
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