Aston Villa are reportedly keeping close tabs on Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens but face competition from several Premier League rivals.
The Villans are assessing their options as goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is still likely to leave the club this summer. Despite eradicating concerns over breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) by agreeing to a sale of their women’s team, Villa still need to cut their wage bill to meet UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR).
Clubs in European competitions cannot spend more than 70 per cent of revenue on player costs and Villa are failing by a big margin. As Martinez is one of the club’s highest earners, the Villans are open to offers. No contact has been made for the World Cup winner as of yet, though, despite interest from Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Aston Villa add new goalkeeper to transfer shortlist
In case Martinez does leave, the likes of Lucas Chevalier, Alex Remiro, Marcin Bulka, Mike Maignan and Andriy Lunin have all been linked as potential replacements. Villa are looking far and wide for even more alternatives, though, and have reportedly added Lammens to their shortlist.
Mirror Sport reports Villa are big admirers of Antwerp shot-stopper Lammens, who recently enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Jupiler Pro League. The 22-year-old conceded 50 goals in 41 league appearances, preserving 10 clean sheets.
Villa aren’t alone in their interest, though, as it was reported last month that Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Manchester City have been keeping a close eye on Lammens. It’s been claimed that the Belgian, recently named on the bench for his nation, is available for around £30 million.
Standing at 6ft 5in, Lammens proved last season that he’s an excellent shot-stopper with great reflexes. No goalkeeper in Belgium’s top flight made more saves than Lammens’ 174 and he also led the Jupiler Pro League for high claims, with 57. Rather remarkably, the goalkeeper saved four of the eight penalties he faced.
Villa relieved to overcome PSR concerns
The Villans are delighted to be on track to pass through PSR without any further concerns after submitting their accounts to the Premier League. Birmingham World understands Villa have been in talks with US-based investors over a sale of 10 per cent of the women’s team, while the remaining 90 per cent is expected to be sold to holding company V Sports.
Just as The Telegraph and The Athletic have reported, Villa say they no longer have any issues regarding PSR as a result of this development. The Villans are also actively working to find a resolution with UEFA in relation to compliance with financial fair play (FFP).
Unlike with PSR, Villa have plenty more time to address the UEFA situation. Sales may still be necessary to prove a true effort is being made to bring down squad costs. That could include Martinez, though a source close to the club suggests there’s every chance the goalkeeper could still be a Villa player come the start of next season.
