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Revealed: Why Man United chose Senne Lammens over Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez
Sep 01 2025 19:38 · By Spencer Morgan
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There was a key factor in Man United 's decision to sign Senne Lammens instead of Emiliano Martinez on deadline day.
News broke on Monday morning that the Red Devils had agreed a deal to sign the Royal Antwerp stopper for a fee in the region of £19m.
The 23-year-old arrived has arrived in Manchester and will sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford.
United were also considering a move for Aston Villa 's Martinez but ultimately settled on Lammens.
And Daily Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler has revealed that Jadon Sancho 's reluctance to make a permanent move to Villa played a role in this decision.
It was also reported on Monday that the Villains had reached an agreement with United to sign Jadon Sancho on an initial season-long loan deal.
Man United have chosen to sign Senne Lammens (left) instead of Emiliano Martinez (right)
United were hopeful of securing the sale of Sancho, who is due to become a free agent next summer.
Martinez's £200,000-a-week wages meant that United would have had to get a transfer fee for Sancho but he preferred a loan.
The groundwork for a move for Lammens had been laid for some time and the final touches were sealed on Monday as he boarded a private plane from Antwerp to Manchester.
He becomes the most expensive goalkeeper sale in the history of the Belgian Pro League.
It remains to be seen what will happen with Martinez with Galatasary still hot in their pursuit.
The Turkish transfer window does not close until September 12.
Jadon Sancho's insistence on a loan move played a role in United's ultimate decision
Martinez was left out of Aston Villa's squad to face Crystal Palace on Sunday night as a consequence with the Argentina international pushing to leave, failing to impress his manager Unai Emery.
Commenting on Martinez's absence from the matchday squad, Emery said: ‘we need players who are focused, 100%. He wasn't.
‘It's not helping us. It’s one of the circumstances that we are having now not helping.’
‘Tomorrow the window finishes and we are expecting something to improve our squad. Keep calm. One of the circumstances is Emi Martinez, we will see tomorrow and then we try get the balance and work after the break.’
He also has interest from Saudi Arabia but is eager to stay in Europe.