**Paraphrased Version (400+ words):**
Manchester United have officially taken a step forward in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper, with concrete interest now being shown in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. According to *Diario Olé*, as reported by *UtdXclusive*, the Red Devils have formally reached out to Aston Villa to enquire about the possibility of signing the Argentine shot-stopper. Despite earlier reports declaring a “done deal,” Martinez has **not yet** signed with United. The current situation is that the club has made an official approach to understand the terms under which a transfer could happen.
The need for a new goalkeeper at Old Trafford stems from mixed performances in that department during the last season. Andre Onana, brought in as a high-profile signing from Inter Milan, struggled with inconsistency and high-profile errors. Meanwhile, Altay Bayindir, who was supposed to serve as a capable backup, has yet to impress the coaching staff. As a result, Manchester United are exploring their options — whether to bring in a new first-choice keeper to replace Onana or to find a more reliable second-choice option to push both current players.
Emiliano Martinez has emerged as a top candidate. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has long been admired for his big-game mentality, leadership, and penalty-saving heroics. Speculation around his future at Aston Villa intensified after what appeared to be an emotional farewell during his final home match of the season. Although his wife later denied the idea that it was a goodbye gesture, rumors have continued to circulate suggesting Martinez is ready for a new challenge. In the past 24 hours, fresh reports have emerged claiming that the 31-year-old is interested in a move to Old Trafford, which has led to the current discussions.
However, prising him away from Villa Park won’t be easy. Martinez signed a contract extension earlier this season, which keeps him tied to Aston Villa until June 2029. This long-term deal gives Villa a strong position in any negotiations and means United will likely need to submit a sizeable offer to tempt them into selling.
Despite this, sources close to United maintain that signing a goalkeeper is not yet their top priority for the summer. The club has not made a final decision on Onana’s future, and there’s still a chance he could remain the number one choice for the upcoming season. Nonetheless, growing pressure from fans who are eager to see more stability in the goalkeeping department may influence INEOS, the club’s new part-owners, to push harder for a deal.
In summary, while there is genuine interest and official contact has been made, **Manchester United have not signed Emiliano Martinez yet**. The coming weeks will determine whether the club is willing to meet Aston Villa’s demands to bring the highly-rated Argentine to Old Trafford.
