Arsenal are reportedly set to sign Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is also a target for Manchester United, in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Dutch outlet NOS, Arsenal are best placed to sign Andre Onana in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old goalkeeper, who is also being courted by Manchester United and PSG, is expected to complete the switch to the Emirates as soon as the outcome of his appeal against his doping ban is known.
Andre Onana has established himself as one of the more consistent goalkeepers in Europe since joining Ajax from Barcelona in the summer of 2015. 204 appearances later, the Cameroonian shot stopper has proven to be a shrewd signing for the Dutch giants, although he has been away from the field in the last few months.
That has been borne out of a 12-month doping ban imposed by FIFA, making him ineligible to play football until February 2022. Onana, though, had his appeal heard against the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday and is hoping to get his sentence reduced to eight months. Either way, there is no shortage of interest in him, with Arsenal and Manchester United tailing him.
Arsenal have only recently been linked with Onana, with the Gunners moving quickly in his pursuit to secure the signing ahead of other suitors. The interest in the 25-year-old is understandable as well, with Bernd Leno facing an uncertain future at the Emirates after being sub-par in the 2020/21 campaign.
While Mat Ryan appears set to join the Gunners on a permanent deal, it is a prudent move to scour the market for another low-money goalkeeping addition in the off-chance that Leno calls it quits at the club. Onana is, thus, a viable target for Arsenal, although they have been facing competition from Manchester United in the race to sign the Cameroonian international.
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Manchester United, like Arsenal, have uncertainty looming over their goalkeeping department, with one of David de Gea and Dean Henderson expected to depart Old Trafford this summer. Tom Heaton is set to rejoin the Red Devils, but is only expected to replace Lee Grant as the third-choice goalkeeper.
To that end, Onana is an option worth considering, although Manchester United have seemingly now lost out in pursuit of the 25-year-old, who was also a target for PSG. Indeed, Arsenal are in pole position to land Onana this summer, with the move expected to be completed as soon as the outcome of the CAS appeal is known.
Arsenal will be signing Onana either way, but will only have to pay a mere €2 million in case the ban is upheld. However, in the scenario that the appeal is successful, Ajax could receive as much as €9 million. As far as Manchester United are concerned, they must set their sights elsewhere, with Onana set to join their Premier League rivals.
