According to reports in Italy, Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana this summer. Manager Erik ten Hag wants to bring in a new goalkeeper to compete for the number-one spot and the Red Devils have identified the Cameroon international as a viable target.
Inter Milan signed Andre Onana on a free transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022. He is only into his first season at the club but has already established himself as a fan favourite among the Nerrazzuri fanbase, having replaced veteran Samir Handanovic as the first-choice keeper.
The 27-year-old has played 38 matches in total for the Italian side and kept 19 clean sheets while conceding only 30 goals in all competitions (stats via Transfermarkt). He had a major contribution in the Serie A club reaching the Champions League final for the first time in 13 years, having secured 8 clean sheets in 12 appearances.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio via Sky Sports, Manchester United are interested in signing Andre Onana in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Italian journalist reported that Inter Milan could be willing to part ways with the Cameroonian for around €50 million, despite having signed him only a season ago.
Di Marzio further added that Chelsea are amongst the clubs in the race to sign the Nerrazzuri keeper. Moreover, another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur, are also keeping an eye on the shot-stopper, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
Meanwhile, reports have suggested that David de Gea is close to agreeing a new deal with the Red Devils to extend his stay at the club. However, Ten Hag is fixated on signing a new keeper ahead of the new season, for competition or as replacement if in case the contract renewal fails.
🚨 Manchester United are interested in signing Inter Milan goalkeeper André Onana.
(Source: @DiMarzio) pic.twitter.com/f4re3fHtgW
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 9, 2023
De Gea has been the undisputed number one at Old Trafford for 12 years, but his recent blunders have raised serious questions. The Spanish keeper’s error played a big part in eliminating United out of the Europa League against Sevilla.
On the other hand, his mistakes against Brighton and West Ham could prove quite costly for the Red Devils, having put their chances of Champions League qualification in jeopardy. That was a wake-up call for them to start looking for options in the goalkeeping department. Moreover, Manchester United need a keeper who is good with his feet, which is where Andre Onana comes in.
Is Andre Onana The Way To Go Forward For Manchester United?
As established before, Manchester United fans are starting to lose faith in David de Gea after his recent blunders. These are the matches in which the goalkeepers should be at their best. However, the Spaniard does not have a very good track record in pressure situations, especially in knockout games.
Moreover, fans were also quick to point out that the 32-year-old has performed poorly in penalties over the years. Erik ten Hag’s men were lucky to win the FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout against Brighton & Hove Albion, thanks to Solly March skying his penalty.
The Dutchman prefers a goalkeeper who is confident when in possession. De Gea is not exactly what the former Ajax manager prefers but the Spaniard is still a very good shot-stopper, making him the current no.1 choice at the club.
Moreover, Erik ten Hag has already worked with Andre Onana for five years during his time at Ajax from 2017, before joining the Red Devils in 2022. The Dutch manager succeeded massively at the Eredivisie club of which Onana was a crucial part.
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Manchester United are thus exploring their options. They have also added Gregor Kobel from Borussia Dortmund to their wishlist along with Benfica’s Odysseas Vlachodimos and Illan Meslier of Leeds United.
Andre Onana is 27 years of age, which is still young enough for a goalkeeper. The existing relationship between Ten Hag and the Cameroon international could act as a catalyst for the shot-stopper to become a success at the Theatre of Dreams.
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