Aston Villa Keeping Close Tabs On This Young Belgian Custodian: A Replacement For Martinez? | OneFootball

If a report from The Mirror is believed to be true, Aston Villa admire Royal Antwerp youngster Senne Lammens, who has now emerged as one of their summer targets. But the highly-rated keeper has many other suitors, including Manchester United. The Red Devils are also keen on Emiliano Martinez, and Villa, too, are willing to cash in on the Argentine amid fears of PSR breach.

The 22-year-old Belgium youth international progressed through the academy ranks of KRC Bambrugge, FCV Dender and Club Brugge before securing a first-team status for the latter’s reserves. However, he failed to secure a regular role for their senior side and was eventually released by Blue-Black by the end of the 2022-23 season.

Antwerp snapped him up on a Bosman in the summer of 2023. After a brief stint with the youth, Lammens replaced Jean Butez as the Great Old’s ‘number 1′ following the Frenchman’s season-ending hand injury towards the closure of the previous campaign.

PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 7: Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp FC in action during the warmup before the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 7, 2023, in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Despite Butez’s availability this season, the Belgian retained his starting status, thus leading to the veteran shotstopper’s winter transfer to Como. Lammens has so far made 60 senior appearances for Antwerp across all competitions, and his emergence must have convinced Monchi, the president of football operations at Aston Villa, who is in the hunt for Martinez’s long-term successor at Villa Park.

Why They Must Find A Suitor For Martinez

Meanwhile, the Lions expect Chelsea to rival Man United for the 32-year-old La Albiceleste World Cup hero. They demand a fee of around £45m for their first-choice goalkeeper, but the South American superstar reportedly prefers a move to Old Trafford over Stamford Bridge in this window.

Nevertheless, the Red Devils must find a destination for Andre Onana first before stepping up their chase of Martinez. The Cameroonian custodian’s £35m valuation has yet to be met by any of the interested parties, primarily due to an erroneous 2024-25 campaign.

Why Aston Villa Must Step Up Interest

Aston Villa have released Robin Olsen, as the 35-year-old Sweden international is set to return to his homeland to join Malmö FF. There are a few young and promising keepers in Joe Gauci, James Wright, Filip Marschall, and Oliwier Zych in their ranks, but they are not ready to emulate Martinez’s success in the Villa goal.

While Zych stayed as the third choice behind Martinez and Olsen, the other three were loaned out to the lower leagues of England and Spain for senior minutes. Lammens might belong to the same age bracket as their young crop of custodians, but he has established himself as a regular in one of Belgium’s most renowned clubs. His reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and calmness in one-on-one situations should see him flourish in England if backed by Unai Emery as the new Villa ‘number 1’.