Breaking: ‘Phenomenal’ star left out of the squad as Man United ‘close’ to seal the deal | OneFootball

Manchester United are seemingly closing in on finalising the transfer of Senne Lammens who has been left out of Royal Antwerp’s matchday squad.

The 23-year-old has been on Man Utd’s radar for several months. However, Lammens only recently emerged as the primary candidate for the role.

During pre-season, Ruben Amorim had often backed his current choices, Andre Onana and his understudy Altay Bayindir.

Why Man Utd are keen to sign Senne Lammens

Although the Cameroonian recovered from his injury, the manager decided to reward the Turk for his encouraging performances in the club’s friendlies by entrusting him with the starting gloves against Arsenal. However, his decision backfired, as the latter’s blunder gifted Riccardo Calafiori the solitary goal of the contest.

(Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Following Bayindir’s shaky display against the Gunners, United decided to intensify their attempts to land a new goalkeeper. On Friday, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the club is in advanced negotiations with Antwerp for Lammens.

The Club Brugge youth product is one of the rising stars in Belgian football following an exceptional 2024/25 campaign. He has been lauded for his ‘phenomenal’ displays between the sticks.

Lammens left out of Royal Antwerp squad

On Sunday, Antwerp opted to drop the Man United target out of their matchday squad ahead of their league contest against Mechelen.

This is the sort of decision that often precedes a transfer, or at least suggests that a player’s future is no longer certain, so the head coach has preferred to leave him out, as he might not be fully concentrated on the action.

Romano confirms that this is indeed the case with Lammens, insisting that the goalkeeper has already agreed terms with Man Utd, while the two clubs are close to reaching an agreement on the transfer fee.

Ben Jacobs had previously revealed that the deal should cost the Red Devils circa £17 million, and it might necessarily affect Onana’s future at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, Bayindir may want to request a transfer, as he risks falling further down the pecking order.