Senne Lammens is denied Antwerp farewell as £17m Man United target protected for move

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Manchester United are hoping to make goalkeeper Senne Lammens the fifth major signing of the summer transfer window.

Talk of a new goalkeeper has dominated conversations at Manchester United this week after Altay Bayindir’s mistake against Arsenal.

Despite links to Gianluigi Donnarumma and Emiliano Martinez this summer, the Red Devils are closing in on a deal for 23-year-old Senne Lammens.

Lammens is keen to join United this summer, and Royal Antwerp are open to selling their young shot-stopper for around £17 million.

Just hours before United take on Fulham in the Premier League, news broke that Lammens has been dropped by Antwerp for their Belgian Pro League match against Mechelen.

Senne Lammens wanted to play but Antwerp intervene

The latest reports suggest United’s move for Lammens is advanced and could be completed imminently with both clubs close to reaching an agreement.

It suggests that Antwerp’s match against Mechelen would have been Lammens’ final chance to bid farewell to his club before making the move to Manchester.

According to journalist Chris Wheeler, Lammens wanted to play in the match but Antwerp intervened as they don’t want to jeopardise his move to United.

Wheeler adds that Antwerp “need the money” so were determined to not put Lammens at risk of a move-collapsing injury.

The decision reinforces the suggestion that Lammens is set to sign for United imminently and become Amorim’s fifth addition of the summer.

When Senne Lammens could make his Man United debut

Amorim has key decisions to make against Fulham, one of the most important being who starts between the sticks.

Bayindir started against Arsenal but failed to deal with the corner that led to the winning goal.

Before that match, Amorim made it clear that Andre Onana was fit but was dropped from the matchday squad. The Cameroon international could return against Fulham, but he will soon have a fight on his hands for the No.1 spot.

Assuming that Lammens completes his move without any issues, it will be a race against the clock for him to be registered in time to face Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

READ MORE: Senne Lammens has already shown very impressive quality Peter Schmeichel would be proud of

Beyond that, United face Burnley at Old Trafford next Saturday and Lammens could make his first home appearance then if Amorim thrusts him straight into the starting XI.

Lammens’ arrival means that Bayindir is looking for a new club, with the 23-year-old set to compete with Onana.