Man Utd could have made incredible signing by spending just £9m more

Senne Lammens joined Manchester United in their final signing of the summer transfer window, but for just a few million more, they could've secured a Champions League-winnning goalkeeper

Manchester United could've secured Gianluigi Donnarumma for just £9million more than what they paid for new goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The Red Devils were weighing up the options of Lammens and Aston Villa's Emi Martinez in the final days of the transfer window.

The Royal Antwerp shotstopper ended up being Ruben Amorim's final addition on deadline day, signing a five-year contract in a move worth £18.2m. But just across the city, Manchester City secured the transfer of Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £27m, as the Champions League winner penned a five-year deal with United's rivals at the eleventh hour.

The PSG 'keeper had reportedly been of interest at Old Trafford over the summer, despite Amorim's insistence that he was content with his options between the sticks. However, no bids were tabled and no discussions were had, leaving Pep Guardiola to benefit from Donnarumma joining the Cityzens instead.

It wouldn't have cost United much extra to secure a far more experienced shotstopper in the Italian, who kept a clean sheet to win the Champions League final 5-0 with PSG in May. Although both he and Martinez were reportedly demanding wages in the region of £200,000-a-week.

Given his youth and inexperience, Lammens garnered a considerably lower pay packet, with that financial motive influencing the call. Donnarumma, meanwhile, shared his initial joy at linking up with City for the 2025/26 season, stating he is joining a squad "packed with world-class talent."

Upon his official announcement 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 instead added to their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of 23-year-old Lammens after Amorim defended his options at the back after their tight 3-2 victory over Burnley at the weekend. Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana have both been called upon this campaign, but neither have put forward a strong case for the No. 1 shirt at the club.

Bayindir made mistakes against both Arsenal and Burnley in the Premier League, shipping four goals so far and winning just one game. On the other hand, Onana was given the start against League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, and allowed the fourth-tier side to go 2-0 up against the Premier League team before half-time.

While he did save one penalty in the eventual shootout, Onana was to blame for Grimsby's second goal in regular time and watched his team crash out of the cup competition. New signing Lammens is a young talent with plenty to prove at United, after being given the starting berth at Antwerp last season.

He made 44 appearances in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in 10 of these games, and also saving four penalties, which earned him a call-up to the Belgian senior squad in March. Describing his excitement in joining 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."