Manchester United have agreed a deal worth an initial £18.1m to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, ending their pursuit of Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.
The 23-year-old, capped nine times by Belgium’s Under-21s, is travelling to Manchester to finalise a five-year contract. United view him as one of Europe’s brightest goalkeeping prospects and a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois at international level.
United’s Goalkeeping Woes
The move comes amid growing concern over United’s current options between the posts. Turkish international Altay Bayindir, signed in 2023, has made a series of costly mistakes in the opening weeks of the Premier League season. Andre Onana, last year’s first-choice goalkeeper, remains out of favour following an error-strewn campaign that culminated in criticism from former midfielder Nemanja Matic, who branded him “one of the worst goalkeepers” in United’s history.
Onana’s only outing this term came in United’s shock EFL Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby, where he failed to impress in a penalty shootout. Manager Ruben Amorim has since preferred Bayindir, but his misjudgment in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Burnley only reinforced the need for reinforcements.
“It is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment,” Amorim admitted. “But we need stability, and that is what we hope Senne can bring.”
Who Is Senne Lammens?
Born in Belgium, Lammens rose through the ranks at Club Brugge before joining Royal Antwerp on a free transfer in 2023. He quickly established himself as Antwerp’s first-choice goalkeeper, making 64 appearances and winning the Belgian Super Cup in his debut year.
Last season, he played 30 times in the Belgian Pro League, recording seven clean sheets and drawing attention from scouts across Europe. His performances earned him a first senior call-up to Belgium’s squad in March 2025, though he is yet to make his full international debut.
Lammens was omitted from Antwerp’s last two league squads against KV Mechelen and KVC Westerlo, fuelling speculation that a deal was imminent.
United insiders believe his age, shot-stopping ability and composure under pressure make him a strong investment for the future, while his arrival adds immediate competition in goal.
Deadline Day Drama at Old Trafford
Lammens’ signing is just one part of a frenetic transfer deadline day for United. Winger Antony is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Real Betis, while Jadon Sancho is expected to join Aston Villa on loan. Striker Rasmus Hojlund, who struggled to settle in England, is heading to Napoli.
The club have, however, resisted approaches for rising star Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old midfielder had hoped for a loan move to secure more minutes after limited opportunities under Amorim, but United remain adamant he will play an important role this season. Mainoo was a substitute in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Burnley and is expected to feature more regularly after the international break.
Looking Ahead
United’s decision to invest in Lammens underlines their determination to resolve one of their most problematic positions. While the Belgian is unlikely to be thrown straight into the spotlight, the long-term plan is clear: stability in goal is a prerequisite for returning to the top.
For Lammens, the move represents a significant step forward. He arrives at Old Trafford as one of Belgium’s most promising talents and now faces the challenge of winning over a demanding fanbase and competing for the No.1 spot.
As the transfer window closes, United’s reshaped squad reflects a blend of youth, promise and the tough choices required to rebuild. Lammens may not carry the star power of a marquee striker, but his arrival could prove pivotal in restoring confidence to a defensive unit that has long struggled for consistency.
