Fabrizio Romano clarifies Manchester City talk around Senne Lammens as United close in on transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City have held no talks concerning a potential deal for Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, it has now been clarified.

The clarification comes after reports suggested Pep Guardiola’s side were considering a move for the Belgian as complications grew in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Manchester City officials have been assessing goalkeeper options amid uncertainty around Ederson’s future, with the Brazilian linked to a sensational package deal involving Turkish champions Galatasaray.

The pursuit of Donnarumma has so far proven somewhat challenging for City, with PSG holding firm on a valuation that City are not currently prepared to meet. Against this backdrop, speculation surfaced that the club had identified Lammens as an alternative.

Those claims have now been firmly dismissed, as other reports centred around Old Trafford and Manchester United closing in on the signing of the player to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s options.

It has been reported by The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson and Will Unwin that United are now nearing signing of Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens for around €20 million, with the 23-year-old expected to compete with André Onana this season.

However, despite earlier claims that Manchester City were considering a move for the Belgian, Fabrizio Romano has since clarified that there were no talks with Etihad Stadium officials, as their target remains Gianluigi Donnarumma, if Ederson was to leave this summer.

For City, the stance is consistent with the club’s long-term strategy in the goalkeeping department. Stefan Ortega Moreno’s ambition to become a number one elsewhere adds another layer of uncertainty, but officials are determined not to make hasty signings and instead focus their energy on truly elite options.

Should Ederson stay, City will shelve plans to bring in a new first-choice goalkeeper altogether, instead turning their attention back to outfield futures of players such as Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan – both of whom are attracting interest from Galatasaray.

The weeks ahead will therefore be decisive. United look set to strengthen with Lammens, while City’s plans remain tied to Ederson’s situation. Supporters will know that one major decision on the Brazilian could shape the direction of the rest of the transfer window, and intensify links to Gianluigi Donnarumma.