Manchester United are reportedly looking to replace David De Gea with Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, who played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The 27-year-old is valued at £50 million by Internazionale, who signed him from Ajax in the summer of 2022, the same time that ten Hag left the Dutch giants for Manchester United. The reports indicate that the Dutch manager wants to be reunited with his former goalkeeper and has asked Man United’s administration to find out about the possibility of signing the goalkeeper.
De Gea, United’s number 1 for over a decade, looks to be at the end of his Old Trafford career after a season which saw him finish with the Premier League golden glove for the most clean sheets. He had the most shut-outs in the league but was also high up on the list for goalkeepers with the most errors leading to goals in the top-flight season.
The Spaniard’s contract will be up at the end of June and the club have been in talks with him to extend it, albeit with a lower salary offer and for a shorter time frame. The former Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper is also keen on remaining at the club which is a stark contrast to his stance a few seasons ago when a gap in communication ruined his shot of moving to Real Madrid. The club’s fans, however, are not in full support of retaining De Gea as the team’s number 1 for the future and are insisting on a new goalkeeper signing.
This is where Onana comes in, as he is a player who ten Hag is familiar with.
Onana is the most recent goalkeeper who has been linked to United in the past few months. The Red Devils have looked at Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who is the reigning best goalkeeper in the World and a FIFA World Cup champion alongside Lionel Messi. The 30-year-old has stated that after his World Cup victory, success at club level is next on his list and United looks more positioned than Villa to grant him that wish.
United have also followed young Portugal goalkeeping sensation Diogo Costa, who they intend to make a long-term project. The FC Porto man could cost as high as £70 million, which will put him in the bracket of the world’s most expensive goalkeepers.
Onana’s advantage over the other goalkeepers on United’s radar is ten Hag’s familiarity with him. However, after a successful season with Inter which involved a UEFA Champions League final, it is unlikely that the Nerazzuri will want to let the player go.
The player’s sentiments also insinuate that he is not ready to leave Inter just yet.
