Andre Onana keen to return to Inter Milan after his Turkish resurgence with Trabzonspor.
Andre Onana’s rollercoaster stint at Manchester United could come to an end this summer, with the Cameroonian goalkeeper exploring a dramatic return to Inter Milan. According to reports from Daily Mail, Onana’s representatives are currently in Milan and have held early talks with the Nerazzurri hierarchy about a potential summer move that would see the 29-year-old return to the San Siro after just two seasons away.
It is a story of a footballing homecoming that, while surprising on the surface, makes sense for both player and club. Onana spent the 2022/23 campaign with Inter, enjoying a career-defining season in which he helped the Italian giants reach the UEFA Champions League final and lifted both the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. His composure on the ball and sweeping style made him a fan favourite and a pivotal figure in Simone Inzaghi’s system.
That campaign earned him a £47.2 million move to Manchester United, where he was brought in as a modern replacement for David de Gea. But his Premier League journey has not gone to plan. Despite flashes of quality, Onana struggled with consistency and confidence in Erik ten Hag’s high-pressure system.
The final blow came when Belgian youngster Senne Lammens overtook him as United’s first-choice keeper, forcing Onana to seek minutes elsewhere. A loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor has revived the shot-stopper’s form.
He has lost only three of his 16 games in the Super Lig, helping propel the club to third place behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at the halfway stage of the season. That resurgence has not gone unnoticed.
Inter Milan, now genuine Serie A title contenders again, are weighing up their goalkeeping options as they consider a successor to Yann Sommer, who joined from Bayern Munich in 2023. Recent reports have linked the Italian giants with several goalkeepers, including Emiliano Martinez.
The fact that Onana still owns property in Milan and remains fondly remembered by the Inter faithful adds momentum to the possibility of a reunion. However, his wages reportedly increased as part of his loan move could pose a hurdle. With two and a half years left on his Old Trafford contract, Manchester United may also need to negotiate a payoff or structured transfer if they are to offload him permanently.
Onana’s journey is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in elite football. While Manchester United’s £47.2 million gamble on his ball-playing ability has not paid off as hoped, Inter Milan’s interest signals that the goalkeeper still holds considerable value.
A return to a familiar system under Inzaghi could help him rediscover the confidence and consistency that once made him one of Europe’s top keepers. For United, cutting ties now may be the most pragmatic move as they reshape their squad, and their wage bill, under increasing pressure to deliver results.
