Senne Lammens’ move to Manchester United has finally been completed after a lengthy transfer saga, but how significant this signing is remains to be seen.
Rúben Amorim has finally secured his desired transfer target with the new goalkeeper finally signing for the club, despite the Reds leaving it late in the window.
Belgian prodigy Senne Lammens has completed his move to Manchester United after a stellar season with Royal Antwerp, stating that the Reds have been his dream destination.
The acquisition came after three players exited the club in the final week of the transfer window. Rasmus Højlund signed for Napoli with a mandatory fee of £38 million, subject to their qualification for the Champions League.
Antony secured his favoured move to Real Betis, and Jadon Sancho signed for Aston Villa on loan on deadline day.
All three departures meant United became much more comfortable spending the initial £18.2 million on Lammens, but still, speculation continues as to whether the 23-year-old is a long-term solution.
Lammens should start over unwanted goalkeeper pair
It appears both Altay Bayındır and André Onana are racing to see who can be dropped quickest, as the pair have failed to impress in the opportunities presented to them.
Bayindir has started all three of the opening Premier League fixtures this season, and despite not making any disastrous mistakes, it is the contention of Amorim and the United staff that a replacement is needed to progress this team.
Onana has played once this season. His mistakes cost United a place in the Carabao Cup third round, as United lost on penalties to Grimsby in the club’s worst cup loss in recent times.
Lammens offers a solid solution, despite arriving with a mountain of pressure and expectation, and a lot to prove.
The Belgian goalkeeper performed remarkably last season for Royal Antwerp, as they secured a fifth-place finish, and finished the season top of the expected goals prevented table in Europe’s top leagues, with an astounding 15 fewer goals conceded than expected.
With Onana evidently out of consideration for league games for the foreseeable future, Lammens will likely make his debut at some point later this month for the Reds, following the international break.
United right to favour Lammens over Martínez
Entering deadline day, reports suggested that United’s interest in Emi Martinez was reignited during negotiations, which led to Sancho going the other way.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano announced the club had agreed personal terms with the Argentinian, and the signing of Martinez looked imminent.
That was until a private jet was tracked heading from Manchester to Antwerp, and moments later, Lammens was declared a new United player.
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Despite the reputation Martinez holds as one of the world’s best keepers, United has gambled on a younger number one, hoping he will reach his potential as United’s long-term goalkeeper.
While the riskier of the two choices, it was the right decision to sign Lammens over Martinez. The Belgian has commanded a lower fee than the desired £30 million Villa wanted for their No. 1. If the move pans out, United will save further funding by not needing to sign another replacement in a few seasons’ time.
Fans will be anticipating a quick start for Lammens, as the club has been crying out for a solid keeper for years now, and will be expecting a strong debut against Manchester City on September 14th.
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