Sometimes, a transfer rumour appears then disappears leaving you with more questions than answers.
Were Manchester United really looking to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer? Were they actually planning to bid? What does this say about the future of, say, Altay Bayindir?
Do those links with Josep Martinez suggest that the Turkey international has expressed a desire to leave after only one appearance under Erik ten Hag throughout the 2023/24 campaign?
Fabrizio Romano was left as confused as anyone when the reports emerged a fortnight ago, suggesting that Man United were set to make an offer to sign the Genoa shot-stopper.
Taking to X, Romano insisted that Martinez was always likely to end up at Inter Milan rather than England. As for Manchester United, he was not aware of any interest from the Old Trafford outfit.
Flash forward to July 1st and Martinez’s future is becoming that little bit clearer.
It appears that the San Siro will indeed be his destination. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the one-time Spain international will join Inter on a five-year deal. The Serie A champions, meanwhile, will stump up a fee that could rise to £11 million with add-ons included.
A genuine bargain of a fee for a man who blossomed into one of the finest shot-stoppers in Italian football at Genoa last term.
Manchester United will not sign Genoa’s Josep Martinez
“Martinez is almost an Inter player now,” Genoa CEO Andres Blazquez tells Calcio e Finanza. “There are other players we will sell this summer, but mostly not the starters.”
Martinez, who’s cat-like reflexes from point-blank range and who’s awe-striking athleticism have drawn comparisons with fellow Spaniard David de Gea, will compete with the veteran Yann Sommer at an Inter side who bounced back brilliantly from the loss of Andre Onana to Man United in the summer of 2023.
“We would be very sorry to lose him,” adds Genoa president Alberto Zangrillo, speaking via Calciomercato. “Because he is an extraordinary guy and has also done great things in Serie A.
“He started with us almost by chance from Serie B. He is good with his feet and above all he is an excellent goalkeeper, which is a rare commodity.”
Former Nerazzuri number one Onana, meanwhile, enjoyed an impressive end to a mixed debut season at Man United. His performance during the FA Cup final victory over Man City rather summed things up. A few fine stops and a series of brave high claims, but then a shot which slipped through his fingers and into the back of the Red Devils net.
Andre Onana hoping to build on mixed United start
“I think it’s tough for anyone when you come into a club like Manchester United. It’s an institution,” Benni McCarthy, who is expected to leave Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff this summer, told 947 Joburg in June.
“There’s so much that you have to prove, you know, (with) all the great goalkeepers and players that have played for the club.
“Everyone was super excited about having Onana coming in. You see the ability, you see the quality in training every day.
“He is lightning quick under the sticks. But, yeah, when it comes to game time, lapses of concentration, sometimes you get punished at that level. But he’s a phenomenal goalkeeper for me. And he will get better once he’s found his feet properly.
“People will learn to appreciate what we see every day.”