Several high-profile squad issues from the summer transfer period remain unresolved as windows in other countries stay open. A number of players who sought moves during the summer have seen potential destinations narrow, but transfers are still possible.

Emiliano Martínez looked to have said farewell to Aston Villa supporters at the end of last season but did not complete a move and now faces an uncomfortable return. He was linked with Manchester United late in the window, but United signed Senne Lammens instead. Martínez has been connected with the Saudi Pro League and could still be a target there; Galatasaray are another reported option after failing to sign Éderson.

André Onana has not actively pursued an exit and is content at Manchester United, yet the arrival of Lammens has altered the goalkeeper pecking order. Onana has been replaced by Altay Bayındır for all three of United’s Premier League matches this season and only featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town. A move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia remains a possibility if offers appear.

Tyrell Malacia was the only member of Manchester United’s so-called ‘bomb squad’ who did not secure an exit, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all leaving. A late loan to Elche fell through and the left back is currently in limbo, with first-team minutes at Old Trafford unlikely.

Raheem Sterling’s loan at Arsenal diminished his standing and a permanent exit from Chelsea did not materialise despite reported interest, including from Fulham. Sterling has never played abroad and, given Chelsea’s reported weekly wage commitment, a move away will be costly for the club if they fail to shift him.

Axel Disasi arrived at Chelsea from Monaco for £39 million but fell down the pecking order under Enzo Maresca and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa. Villa declined to sign him permanently and links to Bournemouth and Monaco did not progress. Chelsea continue to pay his reported wages and clubs in Turkey, Portugal or Saudi Arabia could offer a solution.

Yves Bissouma has been marginalised since Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur and was even omitted from the club’s league phase Champions League squad. Reports link him with interest from Turkey and Saudi Arabia as Spurs seek to recoup a fee before his contract runs down next summer.

Jamaal Lascelles has been pushed further down the pecking order at Newcastle United following the signing of Malick Thiaw. He has not featured this season, though he was on the bench for the goalless draw at Leeds United, and The Athletic reports Newcastle may allow him to leave this summer despite the domestic deadline.

A proposed deadline-day transfer for Emiliano Martínez to Manchester United collapsed after Aston Villa declined to sanction an exit for their first-choice goalkeeper. United were reported to have explored a move for the World Cup winner following Ruben Amorim’s reported loss of faith in André Onana and Altay Bayındır. At the same time, United advanced towards a signing for Senne Lammens.

Villa were concerned about losing Martínez and, according to the account given by his brother, prioritised keeping their No. 1. The club subsequently offered Royal Antwerp a more attractive financial package for the Belgian goalkeeper, and United completed the Lammens signing while Martínez remained at Villa.

Amorim’s side are said to have agreed personal terms with Martínez, but the transfer did not materialise because Villa were unwilling to part with their goalkeeper. Alejandro Martínez described the situation as a commercial disagreement rather than a sporting dispute. “I was told that Emi gave a lot as a professional and as a person, they love him, and you could see that on the pitch. He is well-liked, and the directors didn’t want to sell him because he is the key player in the team, and another team wanted him. It was that commercial dispute,” Alejandro Martínez told DSports Radio.

There were reports of friction between Villa manager Unai Emery and his starting goalkeeper after Emery repeatedly mentioned the name of the alternative goalkeeper Marco Bizot in a pre-match interview. Alejandro Martínez rejected the idea of a player-manager argument and placed responsibility on club decision makers. “These are decisions made by club officials,” he explained. “It didn’t happen, but it’s like everything else in business. The sporting side of things was left out of it, and everything is fine. Emi never had an argument with Unai; it was all within the management’s control, and the clubs couldn’t agree.”

Manchester United secured Senne Lammens after the goalkeeper made clear that Old Trafford was his long-held destination. The move ended an interest from Aston Villa and followed reports that Villa had agreed a more lucrative deal with Antwerp than United’s initial £18.1 million ($24.3 million), according to the Daily Mail.

United opted for Lammens even though Yashin Trophy holder and reigning Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Martínez was believed to want to join them. Villa had also been linked because Martínez wanted to move on, leaving a window for Antwerp and other suitors.

In his first interview with club media Lammens explained why he favoured United. “This is my dream move,” he revealed. “When I was five [in 2007], United was at the height of football and you keep in your memory how big Manchester United is, so, when I heard they were interested, it was like a childhood dream.

“I remember being a kid, Manchester United winning the Champions League and winning the league. [I want] to help the team get to a level that you can compete for a title again and to play Champions League again. That’s also one of my biggest points, that I want to grow with the team and go up to the heights that used to be Manchester United. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and the Premier League is the biggest competition in the world.”

Lammens also reflected on the impressions of former Premier League players he encountered in Belgium, players who helped shape his view of the club. In his homeland he played alongside Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Janssen, Dennis Praet, Denis Odoi, Jaïro Riedewald and Björn Engels.

“When I talked to them about Manchester United, you could directly see their face change. The club alone, the aura of the club, it’s massive, and being here, seeing it, it’s a different level,” he said. The comments underline why Lammens turned down alternative interest to join the club he admired as a child.