Manchester United only needed to spend £8m more to land world-class player as deal announced

Manchester United only needed to spend £8m more to land world-class player as deal announced

Manchester United were still weighing up a move for Gianluigi Donnarumma in the final days of the summer transfer window but ended up signing Senne Lammens, while the Italian joined Manchester City

Senne Lammens was Ruben Amorim's final piece of the Manchester United puzzle this summer (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United could have landed Gianluigi Donnarumma for just £8million more than what they paid for new goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

‌

The Red Devils were deliberating between Lammens and Aston Villa's Emi Martinez during the closing stages of their summer spending spree. The Royal Antwerp shot-stopper ultimately became Ruben Amorim's final signing on deadline day, penning a five-year deal in a transfer worth £18.2m.

‌

Yet just across the road, Manchester City secured Donnarumma's signature from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £26m. The Champions League victor agreed a five-year contract with United's neighbours at the last moment of the transfer window.

‌

The PSG goalkeeper had attracted attention at Old Trafford throughout the summer, despite Amorim's claims that he was satisfied with his goalkeeping options. Despite this, no offers were submitted and no talks took place, allowing Pep Guardiola to capitalise as Donnarumma headed to the Etihad Stadium instead.

It wouldn't have required much more money from United to acquire a vastly more seasoned keeper in the Italian, who maintained a clean sheet as he won the Champions League final 5-0 with PSG in May. However, it is understood that both he and Martinez were purportedly seeking salaries of around £200,000-per-week, which may have been the drawback from Old Trafford.

Considering his age and lack of experience, Lammens commanded a substantially smaller wage package, with this financial consideration swaying the decision.

‌

Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Manchester City this summer - but United only needed £8million more to sign him (Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Donnarumma has expressed his initial delight at teaming up with City for the 2025/26 campaign, declaring he is joining a squad "packed with world-class talent."

Following his official confirmation on Tuesday, the 26-year-old said: "To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me. I am joining a squad packed with world-class talent and a team led by one of the greatest managers in the history of football in Pep Guardiola.

‌

"This is a club every player in world football would love to join. I have admired watching Manchester City for many years – so to now be able to play for the club is a huge honour and a privilege.

"I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates, the staff and the fans. Playing at the Etihad Stadium will be very, very special for me. I am very excited for what lies ahead and can promise that I will give absolutely everything to try and help the club achieve even more success."

United bolstered their goalkeeping department with the acquisition of 23-year-old Lammens, just days after Amorim stood by his current options between the sticks following their narrow 3-2 triumph over Burnley at the weekend.

‌

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both made errors between the sticks this season (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana have featured this season, yet neither has made a compelling argument for the number one jersey at Old Trafford. Bayindir made some crucial errors against Arsenal and Burnley in the Premier League, conceding four goals so far with just one win under his belt.

On the other hand, Onana was handed the starting role against League Two outfit Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, yet allowed the fourth-tier club to establish a 2-0 advantage over the Premier League giants before the interval.

‌

While he managed to save one spot-kick during the subsequent penalty shootout after it finished 2-2, Onana bore the most responsibility for Grimsby's second goal during normal time and eventually saw his side eliminated from the cup competition.

Recent signing Lammens represents a promising young prospect eager to establish himself at United. Having secured the number one position at Antwerp throughout the previous campaign, the goalkeeper played in 44 matches across all tournaments, recording clean sheets in 10 of those encounters and saving four penalties throughout the season.

Senne Lammens secured his move to Manchester United on deadline day (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

‌

These performances secured his inclusion in Belgium's senior international setup earlier in March. Speaking about his delight at signing for United, Lammens said: "I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United.

"It is a real dream come true. The past few years have been an amazing journey; it's now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special.

"You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years. I cannot wait to get to know my team-mates and begin working with Ruben and the coaching staff. This is the perfect place to keep developing, grow together with this exciting team and achieve my career objectives."

Article continues below

Click here to read article