Manchester United are reportedly ‘hours away’ from closing an agreement with Inter Milan for Andre Onana, with the Italian club’s sporting director, Pierre Ausillo, flying into London to try and close the deal with United.
That’s according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, who claim that United made a new offer for the Cameroonian international over the weekend, which valued Onana at around €55 million (£47 million) but Inter Milan are reportedly holding out for €60 million ( £51 million).
Ausilio has reportedly jetted into the UK to try and close the deal, and also strike an agreement separately with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
Crucially, it seems that the two clubs are optimistic that a compromise will be reached for Andre Onana in what would be a big boost for United and Erik ten Hag.
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Inter’s sporting director flying into London
Over the years, the sight of a club’s sporting director flying into London to negotiate with United is usually a sign that a deal is close to being done. We saw this constantly during the fraught negotiations with Sporting Lisbon back in 2020 for Bruno Fernandes, but now seemingly it is happening again.
Today has always been seen as a key day for Onana’s move to United, with Fabrizio Romano claiming last week, before reiterating yesterday that today was always seen as key for the goalkeeper’s move to Old Trafford.
With the gap in valuation so small, it looks to be only a matter of time before a fee is agreed and the former Ajax goalkeeper can join United’s pre-season games, as they head to the United States, following yesterday’s 2-0 win against Leeds United in Oslo.
Kovar and Heaton show Onana blueprint
Following United’s 2-0 win against Leeds, the acclaim from fans was understandably towards Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Joe Hugill. Certain sections of the United fanbase, however, were keen to emphasise the impact made by Tom Heaton, but more impressively Matej Kovar.
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The Czech goalkeeper, who spent last season at Sparta Prague, looked comfortable in possession and was very assured when coming out of his six-yard box to claim crosses, something that has been one of David De Gea’s big weaknesses.
Kovar’s assured performance gave United fans a flavour of the football they can expect from Ten Hag’s United with a new number one, who’s comfortable with the ball at his feet, which Onana certainly is.