June 24th 2023.
Manchester United are pushing to secure a deal with Inter for goalkeeper Andre Onana, with the Red Devils hoping to finalise a £43 million transfer.
The move comes as David de Gea's future at Old Trafford is hanging in the balance. De Gea was offered a new deal on reduced terms, yet he is yet to sign and now has a vastly more lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia. The club are also looking for a new number one, even if De Gea does extend his stay, as his status is no longer certain.
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United's manager, wants to bring in a more modern goalkeeper to fit his football philosophy. This goalkeeper needs to be proficient in distribution and playing out from the back.
United had been linked to Brentford's David Raya and Porto's Diogo Costa, however, Italian outlet Sport Mediaset are claiming a move for Onana is advancing. Brentford had been demanding £40m for Raya and Porto want Costa's £64.5m release clause to be paid in full.
Ten Hag is eager to be reunited with Onana, who he managed at Ajax, and he is the ideal number one in the Dutchman's opinion. Inter are more open to selling Onana and any sale would be a profit, which is ideal from a Financial Fair Play perspective.
Contact has already been made with Onana's entourage and he is keen to work under Ten Hag again. Chelsea have also been interested in Onana, however, there has been little progress in talks and they may now be targeting Costa from Porto instead.
Ten Hag's admiration for Onana is said to have been crucial in United's decision to pursue a deal with Inter and the 27-year-old's outstanding distribution and composure on the ball make him the perfect fit for the Red Devils.
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