Senne Lammens has fuelled speculation that he could be set to complete a transfer to the Theatre of Dreams after naming Manchester United as ‘one of the best clubs’ in the world.
United have been scouring the market for a goalkeeper to replace the error-prone Andre Onana this summer and the Premier League giants are said to be exploring a possible move for Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Lammens, 23.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Porto’s Diogo Costa and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier have also been on United’s radar, with the club having shipped a total of 54 goals across their worst-ever Premier League season last term.
Reports emanating out of Belgium earlier this month claimed United’s interest in Lammens was ‘becoming more concrete’ and Antwerp were said to be expecting an official bid for their number one ‘soon’.
It’s understood Antwerp could be prepared to sell Lammens should they receive an offer of between €15-20million (£13-17.3m) for the former Belgium Under-21 international.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Though Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray have also been heavily linked, Lammens is believed to be holding out for a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
‘Manchester United are one of the best clubs, yes, but you never know. It could also be a different club, or who knows, I might stay here,’ Lammens told Gazet van Antwerpen when asked about interest from the Red Devils.
‘In any case, I try to keep my feet on the ground. When teams like that come along, I think it’s because you’ve earned it.’
While Lammens refused to rule out a move away from Antwerp, he stressed that his next club must ‘have a plan in place’ if he is to up sticks and leave this summer.
He added: ‘I certainly have enough confidence in myself [to reach the next level].
‘I think the most important thing is that my future team, whenever they arrive, have a plan in place.
‘Ideally, that means playing immediately, but it’s also possible that I’ll have to take a step in between.
‘As long as there’s a plan, it doesn’t matter whether I’m ready for the next step or not.
‘Everyone has their own career, their own path. Even if I don’t take the right step right away, I’ll get there.’
On the possibility that he could be on the move sooner rather than later, Lammens continued: ‘It could be within a few days, but also a few months or a year.
‘I have people around me who help me with that and that way I can focus on what I need to do.’
Antwerp head coach Stef Wils has not been surprised to see Lammens linked to the likes of United and Galatasaray given the Belgian has ‘everything a modern goalkeeper needs’ to succeed at the top.
He said: ‘He’s proven why. He has everything a modern goalkeeper needs.
‘As a young lad, he still has room to grow in a major league.
‘He exudes calm and inspires confidence in his defenders.’
Lammens’ current contract in Antwerp runs through to June 2027.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
