Of all the positions Manchester United were hoping to reinforce during the summer of 2024, this was certainly not one of the first that came to mind.
Everyone knows the Red Devils want a centre-forward to ease the goalscoring burden on Rasmus Hojlund. The departure of Raphael Varane has Manchester United prioritising centre-halves too, a bid in for Jarrad Branthwaite and one expected to follow for Lille’s Lenny Yoro.
A left-back may be required too after Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s injury issues, while the expected departures of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat will also leave United short in the middle of the park.
But between the sticks? With Andre Onana seemingly the club’s number one for years to come and with Altay Bayindir under contract too, reports linking Man United with a move for Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martinez may come as something of a surprise.
Reporter Sacha Tavolieri even claims thatErik ten Hag‘s side will make an offer ‘today’, irons in plenty of fires and plates-a-spinning as Ineos look to get discussions underway for a variety of targets for a variety of positions.
Josep Martinez is a Manchester United target
“Manchester United now expected to formulate an official offer (for) Josep Martinez today,” Tavolieri writes on X. “Red Devils want to go concrete despite discussions between Inter and the player’s representatives.
“Wait and see.”
Martinez, capped once by Spain, joined Genoa from RB Leipzig in 2022. The 26-year-old has blossomed into one of Serie A’s most highly-rated goalkeepers over the last 12 months, with Martinez’s background in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy seeing him hone his talents.
There are shades of fellow Spaniard David de Gea in Martinez. Boasting remarkable reflexes, Martinez is a master of keeping out shots from point-range. An acrobatic, athletic shot-stopper, the Valencia-born glovesman has made those sprawling, top-hand, De Gea-esque saves something of a personal trademark.
“Goalkeeping inspiration? I’ve been looking at (Real Madrid legend Iker) Casillas. Then, I also liked De Gea a lot,” Martinez told EuroFoot. “My goal or my dream would be to play in the Champions League, and also to work very hard to try to get closer to the level of the goalkeepers who are in the national team.”
Man United may have left it a little late to make their move, however. Corriere dello Sport say that Inter Milan are close to agreeing terms with Genoa on a deal that would cost them an initial £12.5 million.
The Serie A champions also have the added advantage that Genoa are keen on Gaetano Oristianio, who could join the Grifone as part of a deal which sees Martinez move in the other direction.
Red Devils could make bid in the coming hours
Interstingly, Martinez’s old coach at Las Palmas feels that his former charge still needs to improve with the ball at his feet if he is to reach the elite level. Such comments may come as a concern to Man United fans who watched De Gea depart due to concerns over his own footwork.
“I trained him when he was a kid,” Pep Mel tells TuttoSport. “He is a magnificent goalkeeper. His skills between the posts depend on being very intuitive and agile. He is also strong in one-on-one situations.
“He commands the defence very well, he is able to communicate with the defenders and with the other team-mates. In short, he is a goalkeeper who handles everything.
“(He must improve on his) game with the ball, with his feet. Here, in Spain, it is essential to be capable of this. If Martinez also improves his dribbling technique he will become a truly complete goalkeeper, one who will dominate all facets of the goal.”
United’s interest in Martinez is likely to raise questions over Bayindir’s future. The Turk has played only once, though Trabzonspor recently ruled out making an approach for the ex-Fenerbahce man.