Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sports reports that Manchester United has submitted a fresh bid for Inter Milan custodian Andre Onana.
Man Utd is acquiring Andre Onana?
Mason Mount, a midfielder for Chelsea, has joined the Red Devils as they begin their summer business. The 18-year stint on the books at Stamford Bridge will come to an end when the England international leaves for Man United for an initial £55 million fee.
With David de Gea presently a free agent, Erik ten Hag and those at Old Trafford appear to be shifting their attention to a new custodian after Mount.
To reunite with Ten Hag, Onana has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester; nevertheless, a transfer, like Mount, is proving challenging.
The Cameroon international and Man United recently reached a personal terms agreement, but reaching an agreement on a cost is proving to be difficult.
Recent rumors said that the Red Devils were making an initial offer of €40 million for Onana, but it appears that the price has already been raised. Manchester United reportedly “verbally increased” their offer to €45 million, but it still doesn’t seem to be enough, according to Di Marzio of Sky Sports.
Discussions for Andre Onana are still ongoing between Manchester United and Inter, and MUFC has verbally boosted its offer to €45 million.
The Sky Sports Italy correspondent mentioned the following in his report:
“Manchester United’s pursuit of Onana is ongoing, but Inter’s asking price for the custodian is still €60 million.
“The Red Devils verbally made a 45 million euro bid for the former Ajax goalie. The demand from Inter is larger, though, in order to release the Cameroonian.
What has been reported about Onana?
Given that Onana has a contract through 2027, Inter Milan won’t feel under any obligation to sell. Inter may be looking for teams to engage in a bidding war for their star custodian, who appears to be garnering interest from Saudi Arabia as well.
However, if Onana were to join Old Trafford, it might be said that Ten Hag would have a very elite custodian before the start of his second season in command.
Ten Hag will be well-acquainted with the player from his time at Ajax, and Mark Goldbridge, who recently endorsed Onana above Porto’s Diogo Costa for being more “box office” on the ball, is also a fan.
“I like Onana better than Costa. primarily because he’s just entertaining to watch when he’s under pressure with the ball.
According to FBref, Onana prefers to play out from the back and launched less shots last season than both De Gea and Costa, demonstrating how he could fit into Ten Hag’s method of constructing from the back. The shot-stopper is praised for his ability to pay attention to the ball by Pep Guardiola after the Champions League final in Istanbul.
Finding the opening and clearing the midfield requires a rare talent. Teams typically have excellent keepers, but Onana is particularly skilled with his feet.
“When you have a custodian like Onana, together with Calhanoglu and Barella, who can read everyone’s passing intentions flawlessly, the forwards hold the ball up and move it around. It is quite challenging. Without this custodian, it would be little easier, but still quite difficult.
United and company might therefore be wise to make a move, especially given the limited options they now have. However, if they want to be successful, they may need to increase their offer once more.