Manchester United Close to Signing Andre Onana in £47m Deal with Inter
Manchester United is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal with Italian giants Inter for the transfer of goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Red Devils have been engaged in negotiations with Inter for several weeks, as they look to secure a new number one following the departure of David de Gea. After de Gea announced his exit from Old Trafford after 12 years, United intensified their efforts to bring in Onana.
United had requested de Gea to delay finding a new club in case they were unable to reach an agreement for Onana. However, the Spanish goalkeeper decided to announce his departure last Saturday. United officials have been in Milan for several days, negotiating a deal for the 27-year-old shot-stopper. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now reported that the transfer is close to being completed.
Earlier offers from United, the first of which was worth £41m, were rejected by Inter. However, United has now submitted a final verbal proposal that is expected to be accepted. The deal is worth €50m (£42.7m) plus an additional €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons. The two clubs are currently discussing the structure of these payments. Once an agreement is reached, the transfer can be officially announced. Onana, who previously played under United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has already agreed to personal terms.
Inter initially demanded a fee of around £51m for Onana, but United managed to negotiate the price down. The Cameroonian goalkeeper is expected to sign a four-year contract with the option for a fifth year, a contract format that United has favored in recent years. The Red Devils are confident that the deal will be completed in time for Onana to join the squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi acknowledged that they might not be able to retain Onana, who joined the club last summer on a free transfer. Inzaghi has already outlined the qualities he is looking for in a replacement goalkeeper. He emphasized the importance of technical ability and the ability to play with their feet, as demonstrated by Onana and previous goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Inzaghi also mentioned his experience with Pepe Reina at Lazio, highlighting the significance of this skillset in his team’s style of play.
The potential signing of Onana would be a significant boost for Manchester United as they prepare for the upcoming season. The Cameroonian shot-stopper has proven himself as a top-class goalkeeper during his time at Ajax and would provide a strong presence between the posts for United. With his technical ability and distribution skills, Onana fits the profile of a modern goalkeeper that can contribute to the team’s build-up play.
As negotiations near completion, United fans eagerly await the official announcement of Onana’s arrival. The addition of a new goalkeeper will provide stability to the team’s defense and offer competition for the starting spot. With the pre-season tour approaching, United will be hoping to finalize the deal soon so that Onana can integrate with the squad and adapt to their playing style.
In conclusion, Manchester United is on the brink of securing a £47m deal with Inter for the transfer of Andre Onana. The negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks, and United has now submitted a final proposal that is expected to be accepted. Once the structure of the payments is agreed upon, the transfer can be officially announced. Onana, who previously played under manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, has already agreed to personal terms. The signing of Onana would be a significant boost for United as they prepare for the upcoming season, providing stability and competition in the goalkeeper position.