Manchester United hankkii Belgian maalivahdin Senne Lammensin 21 miljoonalla eurolla viisivuotisella sopimuksella
It wouldn’t be a true transfer deadline day without some last-minute drama—and Manchester United just delivered. According to The Athletic, United have agreed to bring in 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in a deal worth around €21 million.
And this isn’t just a short fling. Lammens is signing a five-year contract, making it clear United view him as a long-term investment rather than a quick fix.
Why another goalkeeper?
Let’s be honest: United’s goalkeeping situation has been shaky for a while now. André Onana, the club’s clear No.1, has had brilliant moments but also a few game-changing errors that have left fans and pundits questioning his consistency. Behind him, Altay Bayındır has struggled to convince anyone he’s ready to seriously challenge for the gloves.
Enter Lammens. He’s not an emergency plug-in—the kind of signing you panic-buy with a deadline looming—but more of a future project. United believe he has the tools to grow into a top Premier League keeper: sharp reflexes, smart positioning, and the kind of composure with the ball at his feet that modern managers (especially Erik ten Hag) love.
Who exactly is Senne Lammens?
If his name is new to you, you’re probably not alone. But in Belgium, Lammens has been quietly building a reputation as one of the brightest young keepers in the game.
- Age: 23 (born in 2002)
- From: Royal Antwerp, where he became first-choice just over a year and a half ago
- International status: Already part of Belgium’s senior setup
- Strengths: Quick off his line, tough to beat one-on-one, and confident with the ball
Belgium isn’t exactly short on world-class keepers—Thibaut Courtois and Koen Casteels lead the way—and Lammens has grown up looking up to them. Now, he gets the chance to follow in their footsteps, on one of the biggest stages football has to offer.
Why not Emiliano Martínez?
Interestingly, United had also been in contact with Aston Villa about a potential move for Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez. On paper, Martínez would have offered instant experience and stability. Instead, United made a strategic call: go younger and build for the long haul.
That choice says something about United’s direction under Ten Hag. The Dutchman has often stressed that no position should be taken for granted, and bringing in Lammens immediately cranks up the competition in training. Onana may not lose his No.1 jersey right away, but he’ll know someone’s on his heels.
The timing and the drama
Of course, because this is Manchester United, the deal didn’t get done quietly. The agreement was reached just as the transfer window slammed shut—classic Deadline Day suspense.
- Fee: Around €21 million, with no sell-on clause for Antwerp
- Contract: Five years
- Next steps: Medicals and paperwork in Manchester immediately, though Lammens isn’t expected to debut until later in the autumn
What it means for United
So, does this solve United’s goalkeeper riddle once and for all? Probably not overnight. But, much like signing a young centre-back or striker, investing in a developing keeper is a gamble that could pay off big in the years to come.
For now, it makes the goalkeeper pecking order a little more interesting:
- Onana – the starter, but under pressure
- Bayındır – future unclear
- Lammens – the new challenger, seen as the future
Ten Hag’s message is simple: competition is healthy, and nobody should feel too comfortable.
The bottom line
Manchester United have made their call. Instead of splashing cash on an already polished star like Martínez, they’ve gambled on youth and potential with Lammens. For €21 million, he could become a bargain if he develops into one of the Premier League’s standout keepers.
For fans, the big question now is: will this prove to be a masterstroke in planning ahead—or should United have gone for the safety of experience?
⚽ What do you think?
Is Senne Lammens the right bet for United’s future, or would you have preferred the proven hands of Emi Martínez?
