Manchester United transfer target Senne Lammens left out of Royal Antwerp team as move edges closer

Manchester United transfer target Senne Lammens has not been named in the Royal Antwerp team to face Mechelen today.

The sides face each other in their fifth game of the season in the Jupiler Pro League.

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The 23-year-old goalkeeper has played in all four of Antwerp’s domestic games so far, conceding four goals in four games.

However, he now sits out as a move to the Red Devils edges closer.

talkSPORT first reported Manchester United’s interest in Lammens in July and talks have since intensified.

It’s believed the shot-stopper will cost around £17million, while personal terms should not be an issue.

The Belgium Under-21 international was called up by senior team manager Rudi Garcia in March, but is yet to earn his first cap.

talkSPORT’s transfer correspondent Ben Jacobs told the Sunday Edition: “From Manchester United’s point of view, they are looking for a young goalkeeper, but that doesn’t necessarily impact the future of Andre Onana, who’s expected to stay and still be the number one.

“It’d be a big surprise now, if late in the window, a more experienced goalkeeper came in.

“We know that a loan offer was made earlier in the window for Emi Martinez. Maybe that’s a clue in the long run, therefore, that Onana’s position will be under serious consideration over the course of the next 12 months.

“My understanding is the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, is the player Manchester United are trying to sign.

“They’re hoping to do the deal for about £17m.

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“That likely impacts on the long-term future of Altay Bayindir rather than Onana, with Lammens being viewed as someone that can be a young No.2 and add competition to Onana, but not replace him overnight.

“I don’t think that potential arrival will actually have any effect whatsoever on Onana who now is expected to stay.”

On his style of play, Jacobs added: “Lammens is seen as someone with a lot of authority in his box, an instinctive shot-stopper, and very mature for his age.

“In other words, one of those players that’s young by age, but actually has played a lot of games.

“And then where he needs to improve is with the distribution from his feet, which is why a club like Manchester United might not necessarily chuck him in right at the deep end from day one, but a big talent and somebody that I often hear compared to Mike Penders, the youngster that’s already joined Chelsea and is now on loan at Strasbourg.

“So Manchester United are looking to find somebody that’s young, can have longevity at the club and can be a No.1, potentially quite quickly, but not necessarily overnight.”