Manchester United have stormed ahead in the race to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, according to reports. The Argentine is under contract for four more years but he was visibly emotional after Villa's final home game of last season, and it is understood that he is looking to move on this summer.

A host of clubs have shown interest in the World Cup winner. Galatasaray, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were all linked earlier in the window, but United chiefs INEOS may nip in ahead of the crowd as they mull over whether to replace the error-prone Andre Onana between the sticks.

It has been reported that United could stick with Onana as signing a new goalkeeper is low on their list of priorities. But according to Argentinian newspaper Ole, the Cameroon international is not entirely safe.

They state that United are the 'first club' to make official contact with Villa, and the only side to have made any notable progress in pursuing Martinez at this stage of the window. There are, however, significant differences regarding the price tag.

Villa reportedly want just over £34million for their starting stopper, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday less than a month into the new season. And it is said that United are only willing to pay around half of that figure.

Whether the valuation hurdle proves insurmountable remains to be seen. Martinez is the only senior goalkeeper on Villa's books as back-up option Robin Olsen will join Swedish side Malmo on a free transfer at the start of next month.

The West Midlands side are reportedly keeping tabs on Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier in case they are unable to keep hold of their current No. 1. Martinez has enjoyed a remarkable career which saw him collect dust on the Arsenal bench until the age of 28.

He went on loan to the likes of Oxford United and Rotherham during his time at the Emirates, and only became a first-team regular in the top flight upon joining Villa in 2020. The following year Martinez became Argentina's first choice, and he went on to play an integral role in their 2022 World Cup win, making an iconic save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in the final.

United have placed much of their early-window focus on bolstering Ruben Amorim's attacking options. Matheus Cunha has already been unveiled, and INEOS have set their sights on Bryan Mbeumo, Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike as candidates to follow the Brazilian to Old Trafford.