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How Jadon Sancho derailed Man United’s move for Emi Martinez, according to Fabrizio Romano

Originally posted on HITC | By Sean Fisher | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 12:40 PM ET

Manchester United appeared to be closing in on a deadline day move for Emiliano Martinez, only for the deal to collapse late on.

The club had been prioritising a new goalkeeper, and ended up securing Senne Lammens from Antwerp in a £17m move.

Lammens is set to become Ruben Amorim’s fifth signing this transfer window. However, there was growing expectation just hours before that announcement that Martinez would be the one joining.

Jadon Sancho is poised to join Aston Villa, and there was speculation he might be part of a deal to bring Martinez to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils have ceased their pursuit of the Argentine goalkeeper, with the British winger seemingly being the reason.

Jadon Sancho’s decision led to the breakdown of Man United’s deal for Emi Martinez

Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Ineos have spent the summer looking for ways to move Sancho out, but he has turned down multiple opportunities and is sticking with his current deal at Old Trafford.

Villa will cover 80% of Sancho’s wages during his loan in the 2025/26 season, though United had hoped to secure a permanent transfer.

However, Fabrizio Romano has reported that it was Sancho’s refusal to agree a permanent switch that ultimately stopped the Martinez move from happening.

“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,” Romano told GiveMeSport.

Jadon Sancho has been a problem for Manchester United all summer

Sancho’s failed move to Chelsea at the start of the window set the tone, leaving United once again trying to find a way to move him on.

The transfer window has now closed with more issues surrounding the 25-year-old, who turned down multiple offers from clubs across Europe.

Roma were among those frustrated by his refusal, and it appears Sancho is intent on staying at Old Trafford for as long as possible to see out his contract.

Unless United opt to activate an extension and pursue another transfer, he will soon become a free agent, with his deal valid until June 2026.

In the end, everyone at the club will likely be relieved when he finally leaves. Even in his last hours there, he managed to prevent a potential swap deal for Martinez from happening.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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