Manchester United have increased their interest in Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, sources have told ESPN, amid uncertainty surrounding David de Gea’s future at the club.
The Red Devils are in talks with Onana’s representatives before making a formal offer to Inter Milan.
The Cameroon goalkeeper is valued between £40m ($50.62m) and £50m by the Serie A side and Ten Hag knows Onana well from their time together at Ajax.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that there are positive developments regarding Onana’s transfer.
The Red Devils don’t mind the Nerazzurri’s price. It is said that Man United is waiting for the completion of the deal with Onana to continue talks about de Gea’s future.
They did not want to be careless in giving certainty to the Spanish goalkeeper.
Coach Erik Ten Hag has a fading belief in De Gea. The various mistakes made last season made the coach unable to stand idly by.
Erik Ten Hag really wants to bring in a new goalkeeper who can build attacks. Besides that, Onana also has good shot stopping skills.
This was evident from his appearance against Manchester City in the Champions League final last season. Where he made several important saves that gave Inter Milan the chance to become champions.
Man United only needs to pay the Nerazzurri’s desired fee to sign Onana. Only after that will the fate of De Gea be known in the future.
Meanwhile, De Gea will officially become a free agent on Friday when his contract at Old Trafford expires.
As sources have told ESPN a deal to extend his contract could still be reached after June 30, the final day of De Gea’s existing deal, however there is no guarantee the Spaniard will play again for the club he has represented since his departure from Atletico Madrid in 2011. .
Manager Erik ten Hag has made it clear publicly that he wants De Gea to stay, even though the club have been working to drastically reduce his £375,000-a-week wages.
United sources have denied reports that the club backed down from a contract extension after De Gea had signed him himself.
Apart from Onana, the Red Devils are also monitoring other goalkeepers including David Raya from Brentford and Diogo Costa from Porto.
Sources have told ESPN that once clarity is clear over the goalkeeping situation, Dean Henderson will be allowed to move to Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal.
Henderson impressed on loan at the City Ground last season and manager Steve Cooper wants him back as Forest prepare for a second season in the Premier League.
