Manchester United allegedly held discreet discussions over the summer regarding the acquisition of AC Milan’s esteemed shot-stopper, Mike Maignan, prior to ultimately signing Senne Lammens. Reports suggest the Red Devils, who splurged in excess of £200m on new signings during the summer transfer window, brought Lammens on board on deadline day to bolster their goalkeeping department.
The previous season saw Andre Onana face intense scrutiny due to a series of conspicuous blunders, leading to the Cameroonian’s loan move to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor until the season’s conclusion. Speculation was rife up to the deadline day that United pondered acquiring Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez as an alternative to Lammens, yet ultimately leaned towards the ‘younger profile’ Lammens presented. Martinez was also priced at double the amount and purportedly sought wages around the £200,000-per-week mark.
According to French outlet L’Équipe, recounted by Get French Football News, another target high on United’s agenda during the transfer window was AC Milan’s Maignan. It emerged that both Chelsea and United declared interest, with Maignan closer than ever to departing the Italian giants.
The report elucidates that United attempted to initiate negotiations for Maignan’s signature, alongside Galatasaray. However, either Milan impeded the move or the venture didn’t align with Maignan’s aspirations. Although discussions over a contract renewal with AC Milan proceed, they appear stagnant, with an increased likelihood of Maignan departing on a free transfer come summer.
Meanwhile, Cameroonian journalist Remy N’Gono criticised Onana’s move to United, suggesting he was a “sacrificial lamb” amid a dismal season. N’Gono stated: “I was alone in suggesting Onana shouldn’t join Manchester United, predicting his downfall. It shouldn’t have been Onana facing blame for United’s performance under Amorim, who has mustered only 31 points in 30 matches.”