Record fee for Antwerp
Manchester United’s goalkeeper situation has been under scrutiny at the beginning of this season. Altay Bayindir’s glaring mistake cost them in their Premier League opener against Arsenal, while André Onana’s blunders contributed to an embarrassing League Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby. Onana’s inconsistent performances over two troublesome seasons at Old Trafford have raised doubts about his capabilities, leaving manager Ruben Amorim unconvinced about the Cameroon international.
Earlier this summer, United indicated they weren’t seeking a goalkeeper, but that position has changed in recent weeks. They have now reached an agreement with Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens. Reports suggest the transfer fee is €21 million with additional bonuses for the promising 23-year-old. According to reliable sources in Belgium, Manchester United has been closely monitoring Lammens since September of last year. Although he remains relatively unknown in England, we offer insight into this talented goalkeeper, complemented by expert opinions from Belgian football analysts.
Insights from Belgium on Senne Lammens
Lammens developed through the youth system at Club Brugge but made only four professional appearances for the club. He moved to Royal Antwerp on a free transfer two summers ago. Bart Tamsyn, Transfermarkt’s Area Manager for Belgium and a former Brugge scout, elaborates on this shift.
Tamsyn stated, “Lammens was recognized across Belgium as a tremendous goalkeeping talent, perhaps the best not nurtured by the KRC Genk academy. Unfortunately, he was overshadowed by Simon Mignolet. This led him to decide against renewing his contract and join Antwerp in the summer of 2023. There, he started as Jean Butez’s backup before becoming the first-choice goalkeeper last season.”
Senne Lammens: Strengths and Areas for Improvement
In Belgium, Lammens is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois for the national team. His performance metrics underscore his vast potential and skills, although, like any athlete, there are areas needing enhancement. Tamsyn remarked: “Lammens has an incredibly strong mentality and maintains composure in all situations. Last season, he showcased his goalkeeping talents by recording the highest number of saves in the Jupiler Pro League. Additionally, he actively seeks solutions during play and is proficient with both feet.”
Regarding areas for growth, Tamsyn noted: “To reach an elite level, he needs to work on his accuracy. He tends to make errors in almost every game, often due to inexperience in certain situations. These mistakes, such as a misdirected kick, can lead to goals from misplaced passes or misjudgments. However, after finishing his first season as the main goalkeeper, he certainly has the potential to improve.”
Antwerp’s Position on Senne Lammens’ Transfer
Lammens’ current market value is estimated at €9 million, a rise of €7.5 million from last season due to his outstanding performances. Nonetheless, Manchester United will need to offer more than this valuation to secure his signature this summer, as Antwerp’s asking price has consistently hovered around €20 million. This amount matches Antwerp’s record sale previously set by Arthur Vermeeren’s transfer to Atletico Madrid in January 2024, making Lammens their new record sale.
