Manchester United have opened talks with Inter Milan over a proposed move for their £50million-rated goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Errik ten Hag sees the Cameroon international, whom he managed at Ajax, as the ideal replacement for David de Gea, who is out of contract and no longer a United player. United sources have indicated that "preliminary discussions" over Onana have begun with Inter, with a view to a formal bid being launched in the coming days.
Although United have yet to submit an opening offer, there is understood to be a gap between their valuation of Onana and that of Inter. While Inter want around £50m for Onana, who faced Manchester City in last season's Champions League final, United believe his market value to be around £40m.
Although there is a £10m disparity in the valuations of both clubs, there is a belief a compromise can be struck and Onana, 27, can become United's new No.1 keeper. Ten Hag is looking for a new first-choice keeper, after deciding De Gea, who has been United's No.1 for the past 12 years, is not able to adapt and play in the style he wants long-term.
The United boss has watched the way Ederson and Alisson, both of whom are able to play out from the back with their feet, have transformed Manchester City and Liverpool.
Ten Hag wants a keeper who is similarly comfortable with the ball at his feet and sees Onana as a keeper who can build out from the back and command his area, as well as being a fine shot-stopper.
Onana has also had a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, but is understood to have rejected that proposal because he wants to reunite with Ten Hag at Old Trafford and become his new No.1.
Ten Hag is thought to have a £120m transfer budget at Old Trafford, which is largely down to UEFA's FFP regulations prohibiting their spending. Half of that has now been spent on Mount despite their interest in Onana and other players, such as a new striker in Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane.
After the FA Cup final, the United boss said: "I have only one plan: that is to improve this club and to improve this team. I will fight for [it]. I have my ideas and I already told the club what we have to do for that. But I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better next season. I think in this moment, I don't want to discuss [the takeover]. It's about finalising the season."
