Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for Ajax’s Andre Onana as a replacement for David de Gea. The Cameroonian is also wanted by Chelsea.
According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United could be set to join Chelsea in the race to sign Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana in the summer transfer window.
Onana came through the youth ranks at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, but made the switch to Ajax in January 2015 in search of regular first-team football. An undisputed starter since the 2016-17 campaign, the 24-year-old has made 178 appearances for the Dutch giants so far, winning an Eredivisie title in the process.
Onana featured 39 times in all competitions for Ajax during the 2019-20 season. After the campaign got suspended in Netherlands, the Cameroon international posted a message on his social media all but confirming an exit from the club.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for the former Barcelona man for a while now. The Blues boss Frank Lampard has done a solid job in his first season in charge at the club, but needs to address some key issues in the upcoming transfer window, having not recruited anyone in the last two windows.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future at the club has become a topic of speculation ever since Lampard dropped him for a handful of games earlier this season. It is believed that the manager is not convinced by the Spaniard and wants to replace him this summer, leading to the interest in Onana.
However, they will now have to contend with the interest from arch rivals Manchester United as well. The Red Devils’ goalkeeping department looks sorted with David de Gea being the current first-choice, while Sergio Romero has proven to be an excellent backup.
Moreover, in Dean Henderson, who is currently away on loan at Sheffield United, the club has someone ready to take over the mantle of the No. 1 in the future. However, according to transfer expert Duncan Castles, Manchester United are not happy with De Gea’s form ever since he signed a bumper £375,000-a-week contract in September last year.
The 29-year-old has made three errors leading to goal this season. Only Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka has made more than the Manchester United man. Due to his indifferent form, the club are now reportedly open to the possibility of selling him and getting his massive wages off the books should any club express an interest.
And if they do so, the Red Devils plan on signing Onana as a direct replacement as per The Sun, despite the presence of Henderson. Apart from Chelsea and now Manchester United, the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the services of the 24-year-old Ajax star.
It will be interesting to see where Onana ends up before next season commences. However, a move to Old Trafford, irrespective of whether Manchester United keep or sell De Gea seems extremely unlikely.
