18 July 2023 , 14:59
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Manchester United won't be the only winners after agreeing a deal to sign keeper Andre Onana.
Negotiations for the Inter Milan No 1 have ramped up ever since it was confirmed that David de Gea was leaving the club after an 11-year stint at Old Trafford. The Cameroon international previously played for Erik ten Hag at Ajax, and was instrumental last season in Inter reaching the Champions League final.
The two clubs have settled on an initial fee worth £44 million, and a potential £3 million more in add-ons, taking Ten Hag's summer spending over the £100 million mark following the signing of Mason Mount. And the Red Devils are now hopeful of completing the formalities in time for the 27-year-old to join their summer tour of America.
That notion will be reliant on the club pushing through a medical, as well as the player being able to obtain a visa. Regardless, he will join on a five-year contract, with the option for a sixth season in Manchester.
But the fee also represents a triumph for chiefs of the Serie A club, who can celebrate a massive profit from the sale. Onana spent six seasons with the Ajax first team squad before leaving for Italy on a free transfer 12 months ago.
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Once the Onana deal is done and dusted, Ten Hag is likely to offload back-up keeper Dean Henderson, with Nottingham Forest poised to turn last season's loan stint into a permanent one. But the Dutch manager is then likely to turn his attention to bringing an elite striker to Old Trafford.
Long-standing links to Harry Kane have cooled in this summer window, with United seemingly put off by Tottenham's valuation. Bayern Munich have emerged as the front runners, although their two bids thus far have been rejected, again falling short of what Spurs want.
A deal for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlkund appears a much more realistic possibility. Like Onana, the 20-year-old is likely to command a fee north of £40 million, but is regarded as having huge potential by Ten Hag and his staff.