With no signs of current Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea extending his contract with the Premier League giant, the Red Devils are in desperate need of finding their next no. 1 to guard the goal for the upcoming season, and 27-year-old Inter Milan goalkeeper André Onana tops their shopping list this summer. Things are looking optimistic as the 20-time English league champion and the Italian Serie A powerhouse have been engaging in serious talks for the Cameroon national team goalie, and it would not be surprised to see Onana becoming the next Manchester United goalkeeper later this month.
Personal Terms Agreed and Second Bid Submitted for Onana to Become the Next Manchester United Goalkeeper
According to famous Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Erik ten Hag’s side had submitted its first official bid of £39 million plus add-ons for Onana to replace de Gea as the new Manchester United goalkeeper earlier in the week, in which Inter Milan had rejected as the latter asked for a proposal that is worth €60 million. The declined offer did not put out the Red Devils’ desire to sign the 27-year-old Cameroonian goalkeeper, and they decided to improve their second bid to €50 million (€45 million plus €5-million add-ons) with personal terms having been agreed between the English club and the player during the week.
It is evident that the Italian Serie A outfit is a willing seller in this transfer should an appropriate bid arrive, and the player himself is keen for a move to England for new challenges in his career despite having only relocated to Italy from the Netherlands on a free transfer last summer. In other words, it will only be a matter of time and money before we see the 27-year-old player from Nkol Ngok, Cameroon wearing the famous United jersey at Old Trafford.
View this post on Instagram
De Gea to Leave His Manchester United Goalkeeper Role After 12 Years
Upon the retirement of long-time Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, David de Gea joined United from Atlético Madrid for a British record fee for a goalkeeper of £18.9 million back in 2011. The 32-year-old Spain international had his ups and downs as the Manchester United goalkeeper, and almost returned to Spain by joining Real Madrid a few years ago. He eventually settled down and spent 12 seasons with the club, winning eight titles, including major ones such as the Premier League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup in addition to his individual Premier League Golden Glove honours.
Nevertheless, the revolution in modern-day football calls for goalkeepers to be proactive and able to execute quick and sharp footwork, which can be observed in the form of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Manchester City‘s Ederson; Such a role does not suit de Gea, who is athletic and agile but not equally great in taking build-up plays. Hence, United’s 53-year-old gaffer Erik ten Hag, who had recently completed his first year in-charge of the club, to look for a modern goalie as the new Manchester United goalkeeper.
In relation to this, it was reported that although de Gea had signed a new contract with heavily-reduced salary packages to remain Manchester United goalkeeper, the club had decided to retract the proposal for good and shop for other options like Inter Milan’s André Onana. With the Cameroonian looks set to arrive at Old Trafford soon, we will be welcoming the end of de Gea’s tenure as the long-time Manchester United goalkeeper after more than a decade.
20-Year-Old Zion Suzuki Could Also Become the Next Manchester United Goalkeeper
The departure of David de Gea and the potential incoming transfer of André Onana contribute to a busy summer window for Manchester United in the goalkeeper position, but that is not it for the club, as the other Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who had just returned from Nottingham Forest on loan at the end of last season, wants a move to the latter permanently this summer to secure more playing time. The probable exit of the 26-year-old England international is likely to cost Forest around £30m, and reports have indicated that Erik ten Hag has a penchant for 20-year-old Japanese Zion Suzuki from Urawa Reds to replace Henderson as the back-up Manchester United goalkeeper.
Apart from reinforcing the Manchester United goalkeeper role, Erik ten Hag is also interested in bringing Danish forward Rasmus Højlund to improve his striker department. The Dutchman and Manchester United believe that they can land the young and volatile attacker, who had scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for Atalanta last season, for a fee of £50 million this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund’s Man Utd transfer admission speaks volumes as teammate approves dealhttps://t.co/a4Quq5bUKx pic.twitter.com/MzNiiXb0ct
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 6, 2023
