Manchester United are reportedly planning a £35 million bid for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana as Erik ten Hag looks to bring a David de Gea replacement to Old Trafford.
Chalk, say hello to cheese. If you thought Fabian Barthez was a bit of an exhibitionist with the ball at his feet, just wait until you’ve seen Andre Onana in action.
While David de Gea appears to view the limits of his penalty area as ‘nosebleed territory’, the man who could yet take his place in the Manchester United net has been spotted, on occasions, playing one-twos on the verge of the halfway line.
More hip-swivelling turns than a Johan Cruyff YouTube compilation.
With De Gea’s contract expiring in less than two weeks’ time, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Red Devils are stepping up their pursuit of a ball-playing successor.
A bid in the region of £35 million is reportedly being prepared for Andre Onana, who’s supreme confidence in possession and pinpoint distribution caught the eye during Inter’s 1-0 Champions League final defeat to Manchester City recently.
Manchester United step up Andre Onana chase
Alfredo Pedulla adds that United have been tracking Onana since April. Inter want £51 million, but may be willing to accept a compromise due to their well-publicised financial problems.
Gianluca di Marzio, one of the best transfer market experts in Italy, backs up reports of United’s interest.
Onana’s price-tag still makes him some £15 million cheaper than Porto’s Diogo Costa. David Raya, meanwhile, is reportedly on his way to Tottenham Hotspur from Brentford, while Brighton and Hove Albion are closing in on a £17 million deal for Anderlecht’s Bart Verbruggen.
The smart money, then, is on Onana reuniting with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, Manchester United seemingly shifting their focus from a man capable of providing competition for De Gea to bringing in an out-and-out replacement.
“I’m convinced that he’ll succeed,” Ten Hag said during their time together at Ajax; Onana learning his ball-playing ways in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy.
“We’ve all seen that he is a masterful goalkeeper.”
In a further boost to Ten Hag’s hopes, The Standard report that Chelsea ‘ended their interest’ in Cameroon international Onana last week.
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