Manchester United are advancing in their negotiations with Royal Antwerp for the potential signing of goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Current reports indicate that the discussions have centered around a deal that could be worth approximately £17.3 million. Sources from Belgium, including Sky Sports News, suggest that the structure of this transfer agreement is in the final stages of negotiation.
Lammens, who joined Antwerp two years ago from Club Brugge, has made significant progress in his career over that period. Should this transfer go through, it would yield nearly a 100% profit for the Belgian club, which demonstrates the growth and value he has brought to the team since his arrival. The decision to pursue Lammens aligns with Manchester United’s long-term strategy, as he is being viewed as a future project rather than an immediate replacement for the starting goalkeeper role.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has emphasized his satisfaction with the current goalkeeping department at United, indicating that he believes in the talents of his existing squad members. Moreover, there hasn’t been any movement in the market regarding offers for either Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir, which suggests that the club is strategically evaluating its options while keeping its current roster in mind.
Recognizing that Onana may soon be away participating in the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for December and January with Cameroon adds a layer of urgency to the negotiations. This highlights United’s foresight in planning ahead for potential gaps that could occur in their squad during international breaks.
In a recent press conference ahead of a match against Fulham, Amorim was questioned about whether the club needs to offload players before making further additions to the team. He noted that prior to their summer pre-season tour to the USA, certain players, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony, were not included in the traveling squad. It has been reported that Rashford has since made a move to Barcelona, while the other players remain part of the United setup at Old Trafford.
Amorim stated, “You will have to talk with Jason [Wilcox]. We have a department that is responsible for that part,” reinforcing that while he is focused on the team’s performance and winning games, there is ongoing communication regarding player movements and potential transfers. He clarified that this is an everyday discussion rather than a formal meeting, emphasizing the iterative nature of their planning.
He added, “It’s not an idea that ‘these players are going to leave and then we’ll receive another player.’ We don’t know what is going to happen but we are not waiting to take out someone to bring another player in.” This indicates a proactive approach where the team is not rigidly tied to one course of action but remains flexible to adapt to various situations.
Finally, Amorim highlighted that the players currently being discussed are not integrated into training with the squad at this moment, which implies that such decisions will not have an immediate negative impact on team dynamics. With a focus on building a cohesive and competitive team, Manchester United’s management is clearly balancing immediate performance goals with long-term strategic planning as they navigate the transfer market.

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