Manchester United have identified who they want to sign as their number one goalkeeper next season.
On transfer deadline day, Man United completed an audacious swoop for Senne Lammens in a bid to improve their options between the sticks.
In the same breath, they decided to send Andre Onana on loan to Trabzonspor, indicating that the Cameroonian may not have a future at Old Trafford given the difficult run he’s had since his arrival from Inter Milan.
Still, even though there has been plenty of hype around Lammens and his talent, it appears that manager Ruben Amorim might not yet trust him to become United’s undisputed first-choice keeper, especially since it is Altay Bayindir who was selected for the matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
Now, it appears that Amorim’s true intentions have been revealed.
A target has been set
Earlier this month, The Peoples Person relayed that United have identified AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan as the man they wish to replace Onana.
Currently in the final year of his contract with Milan, the French goalkeeper is reportedly free to open negotiations with clubs over a free transfer starting in January, meaning that United could manage to pull of a lucrative deal for the player.
Still, United are set to face some stiff competition should they wish to get a deal over the line.
The battle begins
Chelsea have been identified as another interested party, with the Blues reportedly still looking to sign the goalkeeper despite previously failed negotiations.
Despite the competition, United still seem to be determined to get a deal over the line.
United’s intentions revealed
TEAMTalk reported this morning that a heated transfer battle between United and Chelsea is set to get underway.
“Sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer insider, Dean Jones, that Chelsea still have Maignan on their radar, with Sanchez struggling for consistency and also getting sent off against Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend,” the report read.
“Interestingly, Man Utd have also been linked with Maignan, with talkSPORT reporting that the Red Devils see the France international as a future number one despite signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2025.”
“United In Focus journalist Graeme Bailey has brought an update on the situation, with the transfer reporter claiming that Man Utd ‘believe’ that Maignan wants to join Chelsea as a free agent next summer, although the Red Devils have not given up on the prospect of changing the AC Milan star’s mind,” the article continued.
Should this development prove correct, it would appear that Lammens is not the goalkeeper that Amorim is hoping to rely on as his full-time number one.
Still, news of the Maignan pursuit could serve to motivate Lammens to prove his worth, ensuring his place in the starting 11 while helping United to greatly improve as the season progresses.
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
