Man Utd's Prem rivals 'raise concerns' about Senne Lammens after £18.2m transfer

Manchester United are hoping new signing Senne Lammens finally solves their goalkeeping conundrum after years of uncertainty between the sticks. However, fans may be alarmed to hear two Premier League rivals passed on the player earlier this summer.

The Red Devils announced on deadline day that they had agreed to sign Lammens from Royal Antwerp in a deal potentially rising to £21.7million. However, they weren't the first outfit from England's top flight to take a shining to the stopper. The Daily Mail cited reports in Belgium, which alleged both Sunderland and Leeds put out feelers regarding Lammens' availability. However, it's understood his price tag was too rich for their blood as the pair turned their attentions elsewhere.

Leeds recruited Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri for an initial sum of around £14m. Meanwhile, Sunderland signed Robin Roefs from Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen in a move that could be worth £11.5m if all conditions are met.

Further to that point, however, it seems Sunderland and Leeds each felt it was too soon for Lammens to be handed a starter role in the Premier League. That's after their scouts allegedly ran the rule over a range of factors, including his athletic ability and mental acuity, as well as his technical parameters.

Lammens is only 23 years old but arrives at Old Trafford with a weight of expectation upon his shoulders. United have been back in the market to try find another new goalkeeper after incumbent options Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir haven't worked out as planned.

Former Ajax and Inter Milan stopper Onana has been a controversial selection since he arrived at Old Trafford in 2023. And the Cameroon international was dropped from the XI at the start of this season following a succession of calamirous errors in the role.

Turkey international Bayindir, 27, has since displayed a similar lack of reliability and was responsible for Riccardo Calafiori's goal in the recent 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal. That encouraged Ruben Amorim to invest in another new option before the transfer window closed.

United were being linked with a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who reportedly wanted the move. However, it's believed United were put off a deal for the 32-year-old World Cup winner when it emerged he would cost twice and demand £200,000-a-week wages.

The Red Devils will hope to prove they saw something in Lammens that Sunderland and Leeds did not when they return following the international break. And the pressure could be on the keeper from the off considering his first chance at a debut will come in the Manchester derby on September 14.