Man Utd opt to sign £18.1m goalkeeper Lammens over Martinez

Senne Lammens has played nine times for Belgium Under-21s

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial 21m euros (£18.1m) plus add-ons.

It brings to an end United's interest in Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Lammens, 23, is travelling to Manchester to sign a five-year contract at the Old Trafford club.

United are keen to address their goalkeeping issues with Turkey's Altay Bayindir making errors in the league and last season's number one Andre Onana at fault for a goal in their EFL Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby.

"I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment," head coach Ruben Amorim said after Saturday's 3-2 league win over Burnley.

United sources say they view Lammens as an exciting young goalkeeper with a bright future.

Who is Senne Lammens?

Lammens joined Antwerp on a free transfer from Club Brugge in 2023, going on to make 64 appearances for Antwerp and winning the Belgian Super Cup in 2023.

The Belgian youth international is yet to make an appearance for the country's senior team but received his first call-up in March 2025 and is seen as the long-term replacement for Thibaut Courtois.

Last season, Lammens made 30 appearances in the Belgian Pro League and kept seven clean sheets.

Prior to a deal being agreed, Lammens was left out of the Antwerp squad for back-to-back Belgian Pro-League games against KV Mechelen and KVC Westerlo.

How did United get here?

United boss Amorim began the season with question marks over who would be his first-choice goalkeeper.

Bayindir's error against Arsenal on the opening day only added to that, and despite playing all three Premier League games this season, another mistake against Burnley on Saturday put the club under pressure to sign a goalkeeper.

Last season's number one, Andre Onana, has had a turbulent two years at United since his £47.2m transfer from Inter Milan in 2023.

His only appearance so far this campaign came in the cup exit last week, when he saved only one of 12 penalties in the decisive shootout.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic called him "one of the worst goalkeepers" in United's history before a 2-2 draw against Lyon last season - with Onana again at fault for both goals.

Amorim elected to drop the Cameroon international for the next game against Newcastle United.

Lammens' imminent arrival adds to a busy deadline day at Old Trafford.

Antony is expected to complete a move to Real Betis, Jadon Sancho is set to head to Aston Villa on loan and Rasmus Hojlund is on his way to Napoli.

However, Kobbie Mainoo is expected to stay at United.

The England midfielder, 20, wants a loan move after seeing his appearances limited.

Mainoo, who has been left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad, featured as a substitute in United's 3-2 win over Burnley on Saturday.