Manchester United are expected to agree personal terms with Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana today, and the clubs are very close to finalising his transfer fee.
Onana is set to sign a five-year contract and should fly to New York on Wednesday with Erik ten Hag’s squad for their pre-season tour if he completes his medical in time. He will join later if not.
Talks on Onana’s salary had a breakthrough on Saturday and now they are effectively complete, the price United will pay for him should be settled quickly. United made an opening offer worth up to €45m (£38.6m) for the 27-year-old at the start of the month, but the Serie A club have been holding out for closer to €60m.
A compromise is expected to be reached today or tomorrow, with United recently proposing €43m plus €5m in add-ons, although the exact figure is still being negotiated.
Onana has been keen on a move to Old Trafford, where he would link up with Ten Hag following their time together at Ajax.
United stepped up their pursuit of the former Cameroon international following David de Gea’s departure after 12 years at the club.
The Athletic reported last month that De Gea had signed an extension with United, only for the club to back out of the agreed proposal.
The deal for Onana will clear the path for Nottingham Forest to bid for Dean Henderson.
Onana started his senior career at Ajax after coming through the Barcelona youth ranks, catching the eye in the Eredivisie with his passing range and confidence with the ball at his feet.
Those skills were on display during Inter’s run to last season’s Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 against Manchester City.
Ten Hag is also seeking a striker this summer, with talks underway for a potential deal for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund, but United are hoping to move on several players to fund their recruitment drive.
Fred, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay are among those whose exits could be sanctioned.
United will fly to America on Wednesday following a pre-season friendly earlier that day against Lyon.
Ten Hag’s side will face Premier League rivals Arsenal in New Jersey on July 22, before games against Wrexham (July 25), Real Madrid (July 26) and Borussia Dortmund (July 30).
GO DEEPER
Manchester United squad audit: who stays and who goes this summer?
Why Onana would be perfect fit
Analysis by Matt Pyzdrowski
Onana is a player Ten Hag knows well. He was a regular at Ajax under the Dutchman and is well-versed in the manager’s approach.
The Cameroon international has an exceptional passing range, confidence with the ball at his feet, commands his box very well and is also an outstanding shot-stopper.
Those skills were on display during Inter’s run to the recent Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 against Manchester City. Even in defeat, the 27-year-old showcased his ability as a world-class goalkeeper.
While City were the team that everyone expected to dominate in possession and break down the opposition through the ability of their goalkeeper on the ball, it was actually Inter who caused the most problems thanks largely to Onana’s bravery building out from the back.
(Photo: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
