When Andre Onana was spraying 30-40 yard passes left and right in the warm Istanbul conditions, Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, must have felt an air of justification.
The former Barcelona manager singled out the Cameroonian as Inter Milan’s most dangerous player, during his pre-match press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League final. The Spanish manager described the goalkeeper as ‘exceptional’. Well, for Guardiola and the rest of the Premier League, Onana looks set to become Manchester United’s new number one.
That’s according to Dutch journalist Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf, who claims that United have ‘taken a big step’ towards bringing in the 27-year-old goalkeeper and the former Ajax goalkeeper will become Erik Ten Hag’s new number one.
A reported fee approaching €55 million looks set to be agreed between the English and Italian giants. United, according to Fabrizio Romano, have been told their second offer of €50 million wouldn’t be enough and that Inter were asking for €55 million, it seems United have matched Inter’s demands.
Personal terms have been agreed
According to Verweij, United have a broad agreement with Onana over personal terms with the Cameroonian set to sign either a five-year contract or a four-year deal with the option of a further year.
It looks set to be another big coup for Ten Hag and United. After the arrival of Mason Mount for £55 million, the Dutch manager targeted a goalkeeper for the next phase of his rebuild, and Onana seems to be the man.
After the capture of Onana, United will then turn their attention to the purchase of a new centre-forward, Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund seems the most likely as things stand.
This comes after The Telegraph’s exclusive yesterday, with United preparing a bid of £50 million.
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With Onana seemingly on his way and Hojlund potentially, too. United would have addressed the three key positions potentially before a ball is kicked in the Premier League, something that will only please Ten Hag.