Manchester United opted to sign Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens over Emiliano Martinez on transfer deadline day
Despite upgrading the strike force with the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United’s defensive issues remain a pressing concern. Goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both been guilty of costly mistakes, pushing the club to look for a new option between the sticks.
This led to the Red Devils moving for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens on transfer deadline day after much consideration. The club reportedly increased their offer for the Royal Antwerp star on deadline day as he was at the top of head coach Ruben Amorim’s wishlist, prompting the Premier League giants to step up negotiations.
Eventually, Manchester United struck an £18.2 million deal with Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens, who is regarded as one of the finest young shot-stoppers currently in the game. The 23-year-old completed his medical at Carrington, signed a five-year contract, and was officially announced as a Manchester United player on Monday evening as the transfer window slammed shut.
Manchester United opened talks with Aston Villa goalkeeper but did not bid
When the Lammens deal was not progressing in recent days, Man United had started working on a back-up plan. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since the start of the summer transfer window but it took until the deadline day for him to become the club’s concrete target.
Manchester United opted to sign Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens over Emiliano Martinez on transfer deadline day.
Manchester United had agreed personal terms with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez but opted to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp
According to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano on X, Man United had agreed personal terms with the Argentina shot-stopper to bring him to Old Trafford. However, they never sent an official bid; instead, the 20-time English champions decided to go with Lammens.
Emiliano Martinez has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League since joining Aston Villa from Arsenal in 2020. The experienced glovesman was widely expected to leave Villa Park this summer after his emotional gesture towards the fans in Aston Villa’s final game of last season against Man United. However, a move away from Villa Park did not materialise for him before the deadline day.
It has been reported that Martinez was demanding wages of around £200,000-a-week to join Ruben Amorim’s side. The 2022 World Cup winner’s hefty wage demands led to INEOS abandoning the pursuit and instead moving for a cheaper and younger option with potential to grow in Lammens.
Given his solid Premier League experience, leadership skills and winning mentality, Martinez would have been a safe bet for United eyeing stability in goal. He’d been an instant upgrade on both Onana and Bayindir; however, the South American is not mistake free by any means. The Villa star made more errors leading to shots last season (6) than United’s Andre Onana (4), and with him turning 33, he does not fit the long-term project under Amorim at Old Trafford.
As INEOS’ mission is to win the Premier League in 2028, they perhaps feel Lammens would be the right option to grow with the current squad and have preferred him ahead of the ageing Martinez.