July 17, (THEWILL) – Cameroon goalkeeper, Andre Onana, is on the verge of joining Manchester United, as the club’s new goalkeeper.
Following the departure of David de Gea, United identified Onana as their preferred choice and have reached an agreement with Inter for his transfer after a lengthy negotiation. The 27-year-old shot-stopper previously worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, adding familiarity to the deal. After initial offers were rejected, United committed to paying €54m, inclusive of add-ons, to secure Onana’s services. The completion of the deal is expected to happen swiftly, with Onana set to undergo a medical examination before signing a contract believed to be five years long, with an option for an additional year.
The proposed transfer signifies United’s intention to address the goalkeeping position, with Onana identified as the long-term successor to De Gea. The decision to pivot away from extending De Gea’s contract stems from his declining performances towards the end of the previous season. Ten Hag, in particular, has been influential in the decision-making process, as he seeks to enhance United’s ability to distribute from the goalkeeper position—a quality that Onana possesses.
The transfer agreement also signals United’s strategy of reducing wages for new signings, with Onana’s base salary expected to be around £120,000 per week, significantly less than De Gea’s £375,000 per week take-home. In addition to the deal for Onana, United are actively seeking a second goalkeeper to serve as his understudy, as the completion of this transfer allows Dean Henderson to potentially move to Nottingham Forest in a deal worth an initial £20m, with the potential to rise to £25m. Meanwhile, Tom Heaton has attracted interest from clubs like Everton and Luton Town.
United’s focus on reducing wages, even for first-team players, has been evident in recent transfer windows, as the club aims to balance its financial obligations while building a competitive squad for Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
