Man Utd reached a $25 million agreement with Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens, with an additional $5 million in add-ons, according to The Athletic. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to personal terms on a five-year contract and is traveling to Manchester to complete his medical and sign the contract.
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Lammens warms up for Club Brugge before their Champions League group stage match against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on 12/10/2022. Photo: Reuters |
Lammens warms up for Club Brugge before their Champions League group stage match against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on 12/10/2022. Photo: Reuters
The goalkeeper position wasn't initially part of Man Utd's transfer plans. However, repeated errors by Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir forced the club's management to act quickly. They reached personal agreements with both Emiliano Martinez and Lammens. Unable to negotiate a transfer fee with Aston Villa for Martinez, Man Utd signed Lammens instead.
Onana joined Man Utd from Inter in the summer of 2023 for a $60 million fee but hasn't started a Premier League game this season. Bayindir has been used recently but also made mistakes, particularly from set pieces.
The 23-year-old Lammens, standing at 6'4", came through Club Brugge's academy before joining Antwerp in 2023. He has played 52 matches in the Belgian Pro League over two seasons for Antwerp. While he hasn't played for the Belgian national team, he was on the standby list for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Simultaneously, Man City sold goalkeeper Ederson to Fenerbahce for $16 million to make way for Donnarumma. PSG agreed to sell the 2021 world's best goalkeeper for $41 million, plus $5 million in add-ons, to Man City. The 26-year-old goalkeeper will also undergo a medical in Manchester today, 1/9, like Lammens.
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Donnarumma celebrates PSG's victory over Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Anfield in Liverpool, UK, on the evening of 11/3/2025. Photo: Reuters |
Donnarumma celebrates PSG's victory over Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Anfield in Liverpool, UK, on the evening of 11/3/2025. Photo: Reuters
Donnarumma, a top goalkeeper, won the Yashin Trophy at the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony. He's likely to win the award for a second time this year, having helped PSG achieve a treble last season. However, he is no longer part of manager Luis Enrique's plans this season.
Ederson, 32, has been with City since 2017 and was a key player in their historic treble in 2023. However, the Brazilian's form has declined in recent years, and he lost his starting spot to 22-year-old James Trafford. Trafford's level of performance has not fully convinced manager Pep Guardiola, prompting Man City to sign Donnarumma.
Hoang An (The Athletic)
