According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester United has made a new offer for Inter Milan custodian Andre Onana.
Are Manchester United interested in signing Andre Onana?
The Red Devils have begun their summer transfer business by signing midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea. The England international is expected to cost Manchester United an initial fee of £55 million, bringing an end to his 18-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
After Mount, Erik ten Hag and those at Old Trafford appear to be looking for a new custodian, with David de Gea currently on the market.
Onana has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester in order to reunite with Ten Hag, but a move, like Mount, is proving difficult.
Personal terms have recently been agreed upon between the Cameroon international and Manchester United, but agreeing on a fee is proving difficult.
According to recent reports, the Red Devils made an initial €40 million bid for Onana, which appears to have been increased. According to Sky Sports’ Di Marzio, Manchester United has “verbally increased” their bid to €45 million, but it still does not appear to be enough.
“Discussions for Andre Onana are still ongoing between @ManUtd and @Inter: MUFC has verbally increased their offer to €45 million.”
The Sky Sports Italy journalist stated in his report:
“Manchester United’s pursuit of Onana continues, while Inter continues to demand €60 million for the custodian.”
“The Red Devils made a verbal bid of €45 million for the former Ajax custodian.” However, Inter’s demand is higher in order to release the Cameroonian national.”
Inter Milan will be under no obligation to sell Onana because he is under contract until 2027. Inter may be hoping for a bidding war for their star custodian, as the 27-year-old appears to be attracting interest from Saudi Arabia as well.
However, if Onana moves to Old Trafford, Ten Hag would gain an extremely talented custodian ahead of his second season in charge.
Ten Hag will be familiar with the player from his time at Ajax, and Mark Goldbridge is also a fan, recently stating that he prefers Onana to Porto’s Diogo Costa because he is “box office” on the ball.
“I’d rather have Onana than Costa.” Mostly because he’s just fun to watch when he has the ball under pressure.”
According to FBref, Onana prefers to play out from the back and made fewer launches last season than both De Gea and Costa, demonstrating how he could fit into Ten Hag’s style of building from the back. Pep Guardiola praised the shot-stopper’s ball-paying ability after the Champions League final in Istanbul.
“A special quality is identifying the space and emptying the midfield.” Normally, teams have excellent keepers, but he [Onana] has exceptional footwork.
“When you have a custodian like Onana who can read everyone’s pass perfectly, with Calhanoglu and Barella, then the strikers hold it up and move the ball around.” It is extremely difficult. It would be slightly easier without this custodian, but it would still be extremely difficult.”
As a result, a move could be prudent for United and company, especially given their lack of options at the moment; however, they may need to raise their bid once more if they are to be successful.
