16 June 2023 , 07:46
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Manchester United are considering a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Erik ten Hag is keen to sign a shot-stopper this summer to provide competition for David de Gea, who is set to sign a new contract at Old Trafford. De Gea's current deal runs out at the end of the month but is expected to put pen to paper on fresh terms, having impressed and won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2022/23.
However, with Jack Butland returning to Crystal Palace and Tom Heaton out of contract, United will sign at least one, maybe two new goalkeepers this summer. Ten Hag wants two top-class goalkeepers in his squad fighting for the no.1 shirt as the Red Devils prepare to return to the Champions League.
Now, as per The Athletic, Ten Hag is ready to reunite with Onana. The pair worked together at Ajax, before Ten Hag made the switch to United and Onana joined Inter on a free transfer. Onana, who was banned from football for nine months between February 2021 and November 2021, made 10 appearances in Ten Hag's final season at Ajax.
But, despite signing a five-year deal at Inter last summer, Onana could be on the move again. Chelsea also want to sign the Cameroon international as Mauricio Pochettino tries to bolster his goalkeeping department. The Blues are believed to have held a meeting with Inter over a move for Onana.
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Romelu Lukaku, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevor Chalobah could be offered in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal, too. Chelsea struggled for consistency in goal last season with Kepa Arrizabalaga claiming the no.1 jersey for the second-half of the campaign.
Andre Onana has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United (Getty Images)Chelsea will now face competition from United for Onana's signature, however. Ten Hag could be set to sign his third former Ajax colleague after signing Antony and Lisandro Martinez last summer. The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League last season and could be an attractive proposition for new players.
Ten Hag is a massive fan of Onana and spoke highly of the goalkeeper in April 2022. "Obviously he's not yet back at his level from before the suspension," he said. "But that can't be expected from him. He has to work hard to get there again and I'm convinced that he'll succeed. We've all seen that he is a masterful goalkeeper."
In a recent interview with The Times, Ten Hag hinted that he will sign a new goalkeeper and De Gea may not be first-choice: "I will not say he'll [De Gea] always be my No.1 because in a club like Manchester United there must be competition in all positions. You can't do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions."