Manchester United are reportedly planning a fresh verbal proposal to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana after an opening bid worth €40 million plus €5 million add-ons was rejected by the Italian giants.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United will continue to push ahead with an improved “verbal” bid for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana after seeing a €40 million plus €5 million add-ons offer rejected.
The Red Devils’ summer transfer window kicked into gear yesterday as they confirmed Mason Mount as their first summer signing from Chelsea. Signing a new striker remains one of their top priorities for Erik ten Hag. But he is currently struggling to make Manchester United’s reported £120 million transfer budget stretch as they look to sign a goalkeeper as well.
David de Gea is officially a free agent at the moment after his Manchester United deal expired on June 30. Although an Old Trafford stay remains a possibility, the Spaniard appears to be weighing up his options amid lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. As are Manchester United, who are exploring other goalkeeper alternatives in the market.
Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana appears to be their top target in that position, whether they negotiate a contract for De Gea or not.
Onana was part of the Inter Milan side that reached the UEFA Champions League final last term, where they lost to Manchester City in Istanbul. The 27-year-old goalkeeper produced a string of impressive performances, with five clean sheets to his name — the highest of any goalkeeper in the Champions League — while his short and long distribution under pressure is one of his key strengths.
Being one of Inter’s most prized assets, the Cameroonian shot-stopper has been tipped to leave the Italian giants this summer to help ease their financial problems. As such, Manchester United have already made contact with Onana, with the 27-year-old being reassured of a move. Manchester United have also formalised their interest in signing Onana, having submitted a verbal offer worth €45 million, including add-ons.
However, Manchester United will have to dig a little deeper, with Inter Milan demanding closer to €60 million for their No. 1 goalkeeper, meaning the clubs are around €15 million apart with their initial valuations.
That said, the Red Devils are confident of getting a deal done after the revelation that Onana personally turned down a move to Saudi club Al-Nassr as he favours a move to Old Trafford, where he would reunite with manager Erik ten Hag, whom he previously played for at Ajax.
There is said to be a desire from all parties involved to conclude a deal ahead of Onana’s proposed return to Inter Milan’s pre-season training next week after Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio issued a stern warning recently.
