Senne Lammens flew down to Manchester even before a deal was struck between the clubs
Manchester United’s transfer business and dealings have ended up leaving Belgian side Royal Antwerp feeling frustrated, as goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who concluded his move to Old Trafford on deadline day, had travelled to Manchester to complete a transfer before a deal between clubs had been finalised.
The Belgian club had reportedly not given the 23-year-old any permission to fly to English shores to conclude the deal, but Lammens went on to board a private jet anyway on the deadline day ahead of his anticipated move to M16.
Emi was still in consideration as Lammens flew early to secure Old Trafford move
Senne Lammens flew down to Manchester even before a deal was struck between the clubs.
Manchester United sealed €21m deal to bring Royal Antwerp keeper Senne Lammens to Old Trafford on Deadline Day.
It was a day of deep consideration for the chiefs at Old Trafford as they were weighing up their options in goal. Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez was also aggressively linked with a move to United, but in the end the club ended up pushing to bring in a younger player who could end up being a long-term option between the sticks at Manchester Reds.
According to a report by Het Laatste Nieuws (via. Sport Witness), Ruben Amorim & Co. had agreed personal terms with Lammens first, but they had not reached common terms with Antwerp over a possible transfer, and this is where they were caught off guard when the goalkeeper went on to board a flight to England, with both the clubs finding an eventual agreement mid-flight which amounted to a €22 million fee plus €3 million in bonuses.
Lammens jumped the gun as United left it late to secure his signatures
While there was interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Galatasaray in his signature, Lammens was sold on moving to Manchester United, and while there was a reasonable delay in United’s bid, there was barely any time left in the window, which made him take a call to fly early. But still, Antwerp were reportedly left very unimpressed that he travelled without any club clearance.
HLN went on to state that there was “some resentment” within the Belgian club over how this transfer unfolded given that Lammens was “theoretically not allowed to travel”.
While that being said, United ended up getting their man, given Lammens moved to Old Trafford as a long-term solution to the goalkeeping woes, given doubts over Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir as primary choices.
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