Manchester United were pushing ahead with a deal to sign Emiliano Martinez on deadline day before it all came crumbling apart.
Manchester United’s first aim on the last day of the transfer market was to get a new goalkeeper, and Ineos has done so with an agreed-upon £17 million deal for Senne Lammens.
Lammens is expected to become Ruben Amorim’s fifth significant summer addition, although Emiliano Martinez appeared to be the front-runner just hours before the agreement was revealed.
It appeared that Martinez would join the Red Devils as part of a deal that featured Jadon Sancho, who is expected to join Aston Villa.
However, United has already given up on Martinez, and it appears that Jadon Sancho is at the heart of the situation.
Jadon Sancho refusal caused Emi Martinez deal to collapse
All summer, Ineos has been trying to get rid of Sancho, but he has turned down multiple offers because he wants to keep his United income.
During his loan period in 2025–2026, Villa is paying Sancho 80% of his salary; nonetheless, United would have much preferred a long-term agreement.
But according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sancho rejected a permanent transfer, which is why United was unable to complete the Martinez deal on deadline day.
Speaking on GiveMeSport, Romano said: “The idea of Manchester United from what I’m hearing was to do a permanent deal swap with Jadon Sancho and Emi Martinez.
“Not to involve any money basically with a valuation of around £25 million for both players. But, at the moment, from what I’m hearing, this is impossible because Sancho is only going on loan.
“Sancho is not accepting a permanent move, so a loan deal to Aston Villa and for Martinez there are other options to explore.”
Jadon Sancho has been the bane of Man United’s window
Since Sancho’s transfer to Chelsea fell through at the beginning of the summer transfer window, United was once again stuck with him.
The 25-year-old turned down multiple offers from across Europe, adding to the drama surrounding him as the window closed.
After Sancho rejected their offer, Roma were irate, and it appears he is intent on keeping his salary at United for as long as possible.
Unless United decides to activate his extension and pursue a permanent sale, Sancho’s contract ends in 2026, making him a free agent.
In the end, everyone at United will be relieved to see Sancho go. He was able to sabotage a possible Martinez trade deal even in his last hours at the club.
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