Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has seen his doping ban being reduced after appeal, with Arsenal now reportedly expected to push ahead with their interest.
According to Goal, Arsenal are expected to hold talks with Ajax and press ahead with their interest in Andre Onana after CAS reduced the 25-year-old goalkeeper’s doping ban. The Cameroonian is believed to be on top of Arsenal’s goalkeeping targets, and a move looks likely in the coming weeks.
Arsenal’s search for a top-quality goalkeeper has been handed a boost with the news of Andre Onana’s doping ban being reduced. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has been the subject of interest from Arsenal since January. The news of the sentencing will certainly push the Gunners to hold talks with Ajax and push ahead with a possible move.
Onana was subject to a 12-month doping ban after testing positive for a banned substance, Furosemide, when an out-of-competition test was conducted. The 25-year-old did come forward and explained how he mistook a medicine meant for his pregnant wife for aspirin. The CAS heard his side a few weeks ago before reducing the sentence.
Onana will now be able to resume regular practice from September, three months before his original ban ends. Onana, since February, has been training with a personal coach and some amateur teams around Amsterdam. The original ban from UEFA prohibited him to train with Ajax.
Onana’s reduced sentence would be a welcome boost to Arsenal, who are looking for a new goalkeeper. Current No.1, Bernd Leno’s future remains undecided, with two years left on his deal. Arsenal want to resolve this situation in the current window, while they also look to make Mat Ryan’s move on a permanent deal, possibly as the deputy goalkeeper.
As a result, several targets have been mentioned. David Raya was one of the names on the list, with strong links for a move last summer. However, in recent months, Arsenal’s interest has ceded in the Brentford goalkeeper after his value went up following the Bees’ promotion to the Premier League.
A move for Onana would be a prudent one for all parties, and a deal could be brokered, considering Ajax are open to selling him. His price tag would also be on the downside, considering the ban and the one year left on his contract with Ajax.
A fee of up to £8 million is mooted; a figure Arsenal would be willing to meet and make a move happen in the next few weeks when things are much clearer for the North Londoners, regarding their current first-choice goalkeeper Leno.