Andre Onana has already outlined the reasons why Manchester United want to sign him and how he will prove to be stylistically different to David de Gea.
United boss Erik ten Hag is keen to sign two new goalkeepers this summer as he aims to revamp the department at the club. Dean Henderson is likely to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £30million while De Gea confirmed his exit from Old Trafford on Saturday.
Last week, United saw an £38.5million bid knocked back for Onana, who starred for the Nerazzurri on their run to the Champions League final. It is believed that the Milanese giants will be prepared to sell for a fee, including add-ons, totalling £45million – which should be reached imminently.
The Cameroonian replacing De Gea will help revolutionise United’s style of play. Ten Hag coached Onana over four seasons in Amsterdam and knows exactly what he is getting from his goalkeeper, who has explained his style of play and how much he believes the position has evolved in recent years.
Onana has previously explained, in quotes carried by Tactics Journal : “The way I feel about football, especially as a goalkeeper in the last 20 years, it is the position that has changed the most. When I learned to play, they told me ‘André, you should never play through the centre’ when I was young.
“But nowadays I tell you, if there’s space, come on. You always have to play where there’s space. And today, when I talk about a goalkeeper, I talk about a modern goalkeeper who can play with his feet, who is good one on one, who is brave, who transmits security, and is good at claiming the high balls.”
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Onana added, at how he stylistically fits the bill of a top team: “And having this goalkeeper would be an advantage for your team because in the end, you would always have numerical superiority. If the opposing team comes one on one, you have the numerical superiority only with the goalkeeper.”
Inter return to training on 13 July and are keen to solve the situation ahead of that date, both with the exit of Onana and the signing of at least one new goalkeeper. With United already returning to training without De Gea and with Henderson recovering from injury, there is also an urgency on their side to conclude a deal.
United too are on the lookout for another goalkeeper alongside Onana due to the departure of De Gea and expected Henderson exit. Jack Butland has already left to join Rangers while Tom Heaton, the only recognised fit senior goalkeeper, has been linked with a switch to Luton.
Onana, who retired from international duty after the World Cup last year, joined Inter from Ajax last summer – departing the Amsterdam club at the same time as Ten Hag. He had made 214 first-team appearances for the Dutch club prior to his move to Serie A.
The Cameroonian, 27, starred for the Nerazzurri this campaign. They have reached the finals of both the Champions League and Coppa Italia, despite a slightly underwhelming Serie A season which sees them finish third and a whopping 18 points off title winners Napoli.
