Sometimes, the odd transfer rumour emerges that raises more questions than answers. See, for instance, the reports linking Manchester United with a move for a certain Serie A star this week.
Well, they were more than links, really.
According to reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Manchester United were planning to make an official bid for Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martinez on Tuesday.
“Red Devils want to go concrete despite discussions between Inter (Milan) and the player’s representatives,” Tavolieri wrote on X.
Now, with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir already under contract – and with United hoping to tie down Tom Heaton too – it was difficult to see where Martinez would fit in at Old Trafford. Unless, of course, Bayindir was to leave. And there has been little to suggest the Turkish giant is on his way, Trabzonspor recently ruling out a bid for the one-time Fenerbahce glovesman.
Furthermore, with funds tight and United forced to keep the purse strings closely-drawn until they can find a buyer for Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and co, spending £12.5 million on a back-up goalkeeper would be a rather odd move with so many other areas of Erik ten Hag’s squad in greater need of investment.
Manchester United Josep Martinez links clarified
Taking to social media himself only one day after Tavolieri’s own claims, Fabrizio Romano has now attempted to clarify the Martinez situation. Inter Milan remain the Spain international’s most likely destination, discussions now in the ‘final stages’.
And as for that supposed Man United interest, well, there was no ‘interest’ at all.
“Inter and Genoa will discuss today (Wednesday) to close the deal for Josep Martinez,” Romano explains on X, the Serie A champions offering midfielder Gaetano Oristanio as part of a cash-plus-player deal.
“Talks at the final stages now. Josep Martinez’s move to Inter is imminent. Final details being sorted then it will be done this week.
“No interest from Man United despite recent links.”
We can draw a line under this one, then.
Bayindir is expected to stick around despite making only one appearance under Ten Hag so far, coming in the FA Cup against fourth-tier Newport County. Onana, meanwhile, was a man greatly improved during the second half of the season, keeping Man City at arms’ length at Wembley in stark contrast to David de Gea’s error-strewn display on the very same stage 12 months earlier.
United believe in Andre Onana
“I think it’s tough for anyone when you come into a club like Manchester United. It’s an institution,” Benni McCarthy, the Red Devils’ forward coach, told 947 Joburg recently. “There’s so much that you have to prove, you know, (with) all the great goalkeepers and players that have played for the club.”
“It was a managerial choice. Yes, everyone loved David. David was an iconic player for the club. Unbelievable history. But, unfortunately, when you’re time is up, your time is up.
“The manager just felt he wanted a change and wanted to bring in a goalkeeper who he knows really well, who is really good with his feet. And that’s why the manager really wanted to bring in Andre Onana, especially with what he did in the Champions League final for Inter Milan.
“Everyone was super excited about having Onana coming in,” adds South Africa icon McCarthy. “You see the ability, you see the quality in training every day.
“He is lightning quick under the sticks. But, yeah, when it comes to game time, lapses of concentration, sometimes you get punished at that level. But he’s a phenomenal goalkeeper for me. And he will get better once he’s found his feet properly.
“People will learn to appreciate what we see every day.”