Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has revealed that he is not surprised by reported interest in goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The 6 ft 5 colossus only joined the Midlands club in the last summer transfer window but, according to Football Insider, the 28-year-old could already be on the move. They report that Manchester United are lining up an offer to take him to Old Trafford following his impressive performances in the Premier League this season.
With 14 to his name, only Manchester City’s Ederson (16) has kept more clean sheets than Martinez, putting into perspective how good he has been in the current campaign.
For Hendrie, Villa must keep hold of their star players if the club are to progress. However, the retired Premier League footballer admitted that he can see Martinez departing Villa Park in the next transfer window.
“Well, he’s had a great season,” Hendrie told FFC. “When you talk about key players in that Villa side this season, standout performers, he’s one of them. He’s been absolutely immense between the posts.”
Hendrie also went on to add: “You can see why the likes of Man United are certainly sniffing around and want to take him to Manchester United.”
The ex-Villa midfielder concluded by saying: “It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest [Manchester United transfer] but, again, I’ll just touch back on Villa [overall]. [They] need to be keeping the likes of Martinez, [Jack] Grealish and [John] McGinn.”
Martinez will get the chance to close the gap with Ederson in the hunt for the Golden Glove when Villa take on Fulham after the international break.
