Man City Hijack Talk Shut Down as Man United Close in on Senne Lammens Deal

Manchester United have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Senne Lammens after Fabrizio Romano emphatically shut down speculation linking the goalkeeper with a shock move to Manchester City. Reports earlier in the week claimed that City were preparing to hijack United’s deal, but Romano confirmed that Pep Guardiola’s side are only focused on Gianluigi Donnarumma if Ederson leaves for Galatasaray.

Red’s View understands that Galatasaray themselves made a late bid to sign Lammens, but the 23-year-old Belgian has his heart set on Old Trafford. The Royal Antwerp goalkeeper has already agreed personal terms with United, with talks now advancing between the two clubs over a final fee. Antwerp are holding out for €25 million, while United are pushing for a package closer to €20m including add-ons. Negotiations are progressing positively, and there is confidence that an agreement can be reached before the transfer deadline. Importantly, the deal is not linked to André Onana’s future, with the Cameroonian expected to stay as United’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Romano stressed that Lammens has already said “yes” to Manchester United and made clear that the club are in a strong position to close the deal. “The negotiations between Man United and Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens are advancing very well,” Romano said. “Very good negotiations, the package requested is €20m. It’s agreed with the player because Lammens already said yes to Manchester United.” His arrival would strengthen Ruben Amorim’s options between the posts and ensure the squad has reliable depth for the season ahead.

But United’s business is not expected to stop there. The club remain determined to sign a central midfielder before the window closes. Having been priced out of a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba – whose valuation stood at an extraordinary £120 million – United are now considering alternatives. While Baleba remains a long-term target, with plans to revisit a move in 2026, attention has shifted to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

The 21-year-old has emerged as United’s ‘dream’ midfield target in the short term. Sources indicate that Amorim and the club’s recruitment team see Wharton as the perfect partner for Baleba in the years ahead, envisioning a dynamic pairing at the heart of United’s midfield. TEAMtalk and the Independent both report that Wharton is now firmly on United’s radar, though a deal will be far from straightforward. Palace are already on the verge of losing several key players this summer, with Eberechi Eze close to joining Arsenal and Marc Guehi having agreed personal terms with Liverpool.

The 21-year-old has emerged as United’s ‘dream’ midfield target in the short term. Sources indicate that Amorim and the club’s recruitment team see Wharton as the perfect partner for Baleba in the years ahead, envisioning a dynamic pairing at the heart of United’s midfield. TEAMtalk and the Independent both report that Wharton is now firmly on United’s radar, though a deal will be far from straightforward. Palace are already on the verge of losing several key players this summer, with Eberechi Eze close to joining Arsenal and Marc Guehi having agreed personal terms with Liverpool.

Given Palace’s precarious situation, United will need to structure a highly attractive proposal if they are to persuade the Eagles to part ways with yet another of their prized assets. Negotiations are ongoing, but there is cautious optimism that United could make progress in the final days of the window.

What It Means for United

If completed, the signing of Senne Lammens would provide United with crucial depth in goal. At 23 years old, the Belgian represents both a short-term backup option and a long-term investment, giving Amorim a goalkeeper who can grow into a bigger role over time. Importantly, it allows United to avoid overspending on big-name targets like Donnarumma while still addressing the need for reliable cover behind Onana.

The pursuit of Adam Wharton, meanwhile, reflects the club’s ambition to build a midfield capable of dominating for years to come. Wharton’s composure in possession, tactical intelligence, and passing range make him an ideal fit for Amorim’s high-intensity system. Paired with a future arrival like Baleba, United envision a midfield pairing that could rival the best in the Premier League for both energy and creativity.

Overall, United’s transfer activity highlights a shift in strategy: smart recruitment with a balance between youth and experience, avoiding overinflated fees where possible, and focusing on long-term squad building. With the window closing soon, the coming days could define not just United’s season, but the direction of Ruben Amorim’s project at Old Trafford.