Chelsea will not pursue Andre Onana, valued at £50 million by Inter Milan, this summer, with Manchester United now leading the race.
According to a report by Nizaar Kinsella of Evening Standard, Andre Onana no longer features on Chelsea’s radar. The Blues have walked away from a possible deal for the Inter Milan goalkeeper. And the latest update has left Manchester United in the pole position to land the £50 million-rated Cameroonian international.
Andre Onana started his youth career in his homeland before graduating from Barcelona’s famed La Masia setup. But he rose to prominence during his seven-and-a-half-year stint with Ajax. The period also included a controversial doping ban, which left him on the sidelines for nine months. Meanwhile, his spell with Ajax ended last summer, with the 27-year-old leaving as a free agent.
The Cameroonian international joined Inter Milan in a Bosman move but took some time to get going. But Onana has not looked back since usurping Samir Handanovic as the first-choice shot-stopper. And he kept 19 clean sheets in 41 games for Inter Milan this past season. But Inter’s perilous financial situation has left them in a spot of bother while alerting suitors like Chelsea and Manchester United.
Widespread reports for a long time suggested Chelsea led the race to sign the former Ajax shot-stopper. But Inter Milan’s asking price of around £50 million has not impressed the West London club. And Chelsea attempted to bring the cost down by lining up several forms of part-exchange deals.
André Onana on his future: “I’m so, so happy at Inter. At this professional level you never know what happens”. 🔵🇨🇲
“I’m available for Inter, they decide and I will accept what they want. I’m happy at Inter”. pic.twitter.com/kHcFDM8A2I
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2023
But the Blues have now abandoned their chase of the 27-year-old. And Chelsea will focus on alternate targets like Giorgi Mamardashvili and Gregor Kobel. Meanwhile, the West London club’s decision has left Manchester United in the pole position to secure Onana’s services.
Recent reports suggested David de Gea would sign a new contract with Manchester United. But the latest updates have claimed that the Spaniard will depart from Old Trafford as a free agent. So Manchester United will need a top-class replacement. And Onana has emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils.
Manchester United should be in a position to afford to pay £50 million to sign the 27-year-old. Considering de Gea has been on high wages, Manchester United’s books will be lighter once he departs. And it will be interesting to see if the Red Devils capitalise on Chelsea’s decision to cool interest in the Cameroonian international.
