United win red-hot race for “exceptional” 6’3 monster, deal expected to be completed in “next two days” – report

A Safe Pair of Hands

It’s clear that Old Trafford needs a new goalkeeper.

Since Ruben Amorim joined the team in November, neither Andre Onana nor Altay Bayindir have made an impression, and both players made crucial mistakes when the Portuguese coach picked them.

Amorim has chosen to start Bayindir in the season’s first two games. However, the 27-year-old has appeared unstable in both games, and his difficulties are as much a result of Onana’s own play as they are of Bayindir.

The £4 million backup wouldn’t be starting if the goalie Manchester United spent £47 million on two years ago was playing at even the level that the fee indicates.

But with the high-profile additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, the summer transfer budget has primarily gone toward attacking reinforcements, pushing a goalkeeper farther down the priority list.

This indicates that rather than hiring an experienced goalie to completely replace them, United is aiming for a less expensive option in goal—a younger one who can step in and compete with the current choices while also developing as a player.

But United may have found a goalkeeper who can provide both in Sammens, the highly regarded 23-year-old number one for Royal Antwerp.

Closing in on a deal

Last season, Sammens had a spectacular season in the Jupiler Pro League, drawing interest from numerous elite clubs over the continent thanks to an exceptional collection of Antwerp statistics.

Based on their individual performances from the previous season, the 6’3 star would have little issue replacing either Onana or Bayindir.

Despite a late-game coup attempt by the Turkish champions, United has jumped ahead of Manchester City, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray in the fierce competition for the Belgian U-21 star.

With Sammens, 23, reportedly prioritizing a transfer to Old Trafford over other possibilities, the Red Devils are well-positioned to sign him.

It has been suggested that he can be signed for around £17 million, which is a very fair price for a goalie with such a strong record at such a young age.

Sammens’ exclusion from Antwerp’s squad for their most recent game against Mechelen is a clear sign that an exit is about to be approved. Christoper Michel has now disclosed when a deal is expected to be finalized.

United is “very optimistic” that Sammens will be signed in the “next two days,” according to the German football expert, who also suggests that a deal may be finalized by Thursday or Friday at the latest.

This would make Sammens’ inclusion in the team for Saturday’s game against Burnley at Old Trafford doubtful, but the possibility of the trip to the Etihad the following week quite likely.

Talk about baptism by flames for a new “keeper,” but if the Chuckle Brothers are your only alternatives, you might not have much of an alternative.