Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has suggested that the Italian club has turned down a bid from Manchester United for goalkeeper Andre Onana.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday, United have identified Onana as their top transfer target to replace David de Gea, should the latter fail to sign a new contract. The Spaniard is technically a free agent after his contract at Old Trafford expired last week, but both parties remain in talks over the prospect of reaching an agreement for him to stay at the club.
Onana played under United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax and is highly rated by the Dutchman, just as he is by several other big-name figures. He is an excellent distributor of the ball and would provide the ball-playing capabilities that United have been looking for in a shot-stopper.
Onana, who was hailed by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola both before and after last month's Champions League final, is under contract at Inter until 2027. He only joined them last summer on a free transfer.
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That is why reports elsewhere have suggested that United could be forced to pay up to £60million to extract the Cameroonian from the San Siro. However, Inter chief Ausilio has indicated that the Reds have made an opening bid well short of their valuation.
"As of today [Wednesday], the proposals are not at the level we expected," said Ausilio. "Right now Onana is Inter's goalkeeper.
"He's one of the strengths of the team and with strong players we'd like to move forward.
"If opportunities arise, we'll evaluate them, but to date they haven't arrived or they don't meet our expectations. In this moment he's our goalkeeper and Andre is key player for us - we'd like to keep him, then we’ll see what happens.
"We wait for him on July 13 for pre-season."
Onana, who made almost 150 appearances under Ten Hag during their time together at Ajax, made 41 appearances for Inter last season, keeping 19 clean sheets. He also helped them scoop two trophies, clinching both the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia.
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