“Manchester United are one of the best clubs, yes…When teams like that come along, I think you’ve earned it.”
Senne Lammens has quickly emerged as a key target for United this summer – and the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper is evidently as keen on the move as the Red Devils if his latest interview is anything to go by.
A Safe Pair of Hands
United are pushing to sign a new goalkeeper after a series of error-strewn performances from the existing senior options at Old Trafford, Andre Onana and Altay Bayinidr.
Advances were made to sound out the possibility of a blockbuster move for Paris Saint-Germain number one, Gianluigi Donnarumma, while there is considerable interest in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.
Either option would be arriving in Manchester with the intention of becoming the club’s undisputed first-choice option in goal.
However, Onana, 29, is intent on remaining at the Theatre of Dreams, despite interest from the Saudi Pro League, as he wants to regain the form which made him one of Europe’s best shot stoppers for Inter Milan.
By contrast, Bayindir, 27, appears much closer to the exit door as the Turkey international is keen on more first-team opportunities. He has not impressed when played in Onana’s absence.
As such, United are targeting a younger goalkeeper at a more affordable price – with the bulk of the summer budget directed towards the misfiring forward line – to replace Bayindir and provide competition for Onana, rather than outright replace the Cameroonian.
At 23 years of age, having enjoyed a superb campaign for Royal Antwerp, Lammens is the perfect candidate with an asking price of around £17 million.
Lammens is open to Old Trafford
A report covered by The Peoples Person revealed Lammens is “sitting at the top” of United’s transfer list after receiving personal approval from Ruben Amorim.
Club executives have established contact with Royal Antwerp to discuss the feasibility of a deal and the goalkeeper is believed to have given the “green light” to the move to Old Trafford.
In an interview published in today’s edition of Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen (as relayed by Sports Witness), Lammens described United as one of the “best clubs” in the world and revealed he could even leave Royal Antwerp within “a few days”.
When asked the 23-year-old if he was ready to make the jump towards one of Europe’s leading clubs, he replied: “Manchester United are one of the best clubs, yes. But you never know. It could also be a different club, or who knows, I might stay here. [grins] In any case, I try to keep my feet on the ground. When teams like that come along, I think you’ve earned it.”
But the Belgium U-21 international is adamant a new club must have a “plan in place” for him to accept their offer.
“I certainly have enough confidence in myself. I think the most important thing is that my future team, whenever they arrive, has a plan in place.
“Ideally, that means playing immediately, but it’s also possible I’ll have to take a step in between. As long as there’s a plan, it doesn’t matter whether I’m ready for the next step or not. Everyone has their own career, their own path. Even if I don’t take the right step right away, I’ll get there.”
This reference to being willing to taking a “step in between” suggests Lammens is content arriving as a number two at United as long as there is a path towards the number one role – and the erratic form of Onana makes the path a wide open one at Old Trafford.
When asked about a timeline for a departure from Antwerp, Lammens stated, “It could be within a few days, but also a few months or a year. I have people around me who help me with that, and that way I can focus on what I need to do.”
The fact the goalkeeper reveals a move could happen “within a few days” suggests negotiations are progressing and a deal may be on the verge of completion, even if he then mediates this by stating it could take up to a year.
United likely view Lammens as a replacement for Bayindir – but Lammens will almost certainly be arriving at Old Trafford with the intention to replace Onana.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
