Man United transfer news: Interest accelerated in 'wowed' £17m goalkeeper after Andre Onana injury

Manchester United are reportedly planning to accelerate their pursuit of Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens following Andre Onana's injury.

The Red Devils were ostensibly dealt a major blow when Onana was initially ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem, plunging his availability for the start of the Premier League season into serious doubt.

Reports have since claimed that the Cameroonian's injury is not as severe as first feared, though, and there is hope that he will be fit to play a part of Man United's pre-season tour of the USA.

Regardless, a new goalkeeper has supposedly been near the top of the Red Devils' agenda for a while, as Onana has endured two error-strewn seasons at Old Trafford since joining from Ajax in 2023.

Number two Altay Bayindir is also yet to prove that he can be first-choice material, and the Turkey international is already being tipped to leave the club after finding his opportunities limited.

Man United 'step up Lammens transfer hunt' after Onana injury

Now, talkSPORT claims that Man United will ramp up their efforts to sign 23-year-old Lammens, who has already talked up the possibility of joining the Red Devils in the summer transfer window.

"The first time I heard I thought, 'Wow'. Immediately a world [renowned] team that follows you. That is special," Lammens said in an interview with Belgian publication Gazet van Antwerpen earlier this year.

"Of course, I was also spoken to about it a lot and when I made a save in training, it was United this, United that [from colleagues]… It's only positive.

"Especially because it's the best competition in the world and my profile, my stature and way of playing, is similar to English football. You have to physically hold your own there and that suits me."

The Red Devils would supposedly have to pay around £17m to sign Lammens, who has spent his entire career in Belgium, coming through the Club Brugge youth ranks and scoring a header against Real Madrid in a 2019-20 UEFA Youth League match.

The 6ft 4in goalkeeper has since kept 12 clean sheets in 60 appearances for Royal Antwerp since joining on a free transfer in 2023, and he earned his first call-up to the Belgium senior squad in March.

Which other goalkeepers are Man Utd targeting in transfer window?

A £17m move for a 23-year-old goalkeeper is an excellent deal at face value for Man United, but the Red Devils are not putting all of their eggs in one basket when it comes to a potential new number one.

Aston Villa and Argentina number one Emiliano Martinez has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, although the truth behind a supposed release clause in his Lions contract has reportedly been revealed.

Lille's Lucas Chevalier, Porto's Diogo Costa and Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin are also thought to be of interest to Man United, although the club are yet to reach a breakthrough in their pursuit of any goalkeeping targets.

For the time being, Ruben Amorim will be working with Bayindir, Tom Heaton and 22-year-old Dermot Mee as his options in between the sticks for Saturday's friendly against Leeds United.

Written by
Ben Knapton