In an exciting turn of events, Andre Onana has reportedly turned down an opportunity to join Saudi Arabia’s football scene, opting instead for a potential move to the prestigious Manchester United from his current club, Inter Milan.
The former Cameroon international has been the subject of intense speculation linking him with a transfer to Man United, as the club seeks to fill the void left by David de Gea’s departure on a free transfer.
While there is a possibility that De Gea might return to Old Trafford, it appears that the English club’s primary focus at the moment is to secure the services of Onana for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Giuseppe Marotta, the CEO of Inter, confirmed over the weekend that the 20-time English champions have expressed interest in acquiring the 27-year-old goalkeeper during the ongoing transfer window.
Man United has already made an offer for Onana, but their bid of €40m (£34.3m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses was turned down. It is believed that Inter is holding out for a fee of €60m (£51.4m) for the talented shot-stopper. However, there is a glimmer of hope that both clubs could reach a compromise that satisfies their respective demands.
During the 2022-23 season, Onana showcased his skills for Inter Milan after his move from Ajax. He made 41 appearances across various competitions, impressively recording 19 clean sheets in the process. Notably, he kept eight clean sheets in 13 Champions League matches as Inter reached the final but were defeated by Manchester City. Although he was an unused substitute in the Coppa Italia final, Onana made three appearances during the team’s successful campaign.
Recently, there were reports suggesting that Al-Nassr, a Saudi Arabian club, is prepared to make a bid for Onana, luring him with a lucrative salary package. However, according to 90min, the talented goalkeeper has expressed his disinterest in joining Al-Nassr, reaffirming his commitment to pushing for a move to Old Trafford.
According to the report, Man United is optimistic about reaching an agreement with Inter due to the Italian club’s financial difficulties, which might prompt them to lower their asking price.
Erik ten Hag, the head coach of the Red Devils, previously worked with Onana during their time together at Ajax. Allegedly, ten Hag sees the Cameroonian as the perfect goalkeeper to take on the role of their number one in the future.
In other transfer news, Man United is on the verge of finalizing the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea, with the attacker expected to join the Old Trafford outfit this week. Additionally, the club remains determined to bolster their attacking options by acquiring a new center-forward, with Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta BC emerging as their primary target in the final third of the pitch.
Exciting times lie ahead for Manchester United, as they eagerly pursue the signature of Andre Onana while simultaneously strengthening their squad for the upcoming season. Fans eagerly await the outcome of these potential transfers, hoping to see their beloved club reach new heights in the future.