Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, who could cost around £7 million in the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to Goal, Arsenal have retained their interest in Andre Onana, with a summer transfer to north London potentially on the cards for the 25-year-old. The Ajax goalkeeper is currently under a 12-month ban imposed by FIFA that makes him ineligible to play football until February 2022.
Onana, however, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) and has a hearing in early June, which upon success, could see his suspension getting reduced to eight months, making him eligible to play football at the start of next season.
Unfortunately for Ajax, it also opens the door for him to leave Amsterdam in the summer and the club could be forced to cash in as well, especially with his contract expiring at the end of next season. In fact, the goalkeeper could be available for as low as £7 million, thus putting Arsenal on red alert.
It appears the Gunners are desperate to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, as they prepare for life without Bernd Leno after a series of poor performances this season that has forced Mikel Arteta to try his luck with Mat Ryan in Arsenal’s Premier League matches.
The Australian international has even been speculated to make a permanent move to the Emirates in the summer, further suggesting the downfall of Leno. And in Onana, Arsenal seem to have identified an ideal long-term replacement for the German.
A product of the famed La Masia youth academy, Onana has had immense success since his move to Ajax. He has featured in over 200 competitive matches for the Dutch giants, winning two Eredivisie titles while playing a key role in the club’s inspiring run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League during the 2018/19 campaign.
The Cameroonian international should not, therefore, have too many difficulties in settling into English football. As a former member of La Masia academy, he should find an instant connection with Arteta and could even emerge as Arsenal’s first-choice ‘keeper for next season, should the club offload Leno in the summer.
Arsenal, though, have also targeted a bunch of alternatives, including Athletic Bilbao’s shot-stopper Unai Simon. So, it will be interesting to see how this goalkeeping conundrum transpires for the Gunners in the upcoming summer transfer window.
