€40m Man Utd bid rejected for Serie A star as Fabrizio Romano reveals Chelsea hijack stance

Will Ford
Man Utd transfer target Andre Onana
Andre Onana could be leaving Serie A this summer.

Manchester United have reportedly made an ‘informal €40m bid’ for Andre Onana that has immediately been rejected by Inter Milan.

The Red Devils are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer with uncertainty over David de Gea’s future at Old Trafford.

A report on Tuesday claimed that the Spaniard had agreed to a drastic reduction in his salary to remain at Man Utd before the Red Devils ‘backed out’ of the deal.

In an incredible U-turn, Man Utd then offered De Gea different terms again ‘with an even lower salary’ with the goalkeeper ‘now considering his options’.

But Man Utd are lining up his replacement with Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport claiming on Wednesday that Inter Milan and the Red Devils have ‘agreed on tight timing to close the deal’ for Onana.

That comes after a meeting in Ibiza between Inter sporting director Piero Ausilo and Man Utd director of football operations David Harrison.

Both sides want a quick resolution with the transfer set to ‘close almost immediately’ with Gazzetta dello Sport insisting Onana can ‘become a Manchester United player on Friday’.

But as is the United way, Corriere dello Sport claim they’ve made an initial lowball offer of €40m which has been rejected by the Italian side, who want €60m for their prized asset.

Having signed Onana on a free transfer from Ajax last summer, Inter are willing to accept €45-48m up front, provided the add-ons (€15-12m) are easily achievable.

It’s thought Inter want to use the funds made through Onana’s sale to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.

It was thought for a while that a straight swap – Onana for Lukaku – could be agreed, but as Fabrizio Romano has revealed, Chelsea are now looking for ‘backup’ options rather than a No.1 goalkeeper like Onana or Mike Maignan, who was also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

That’s because new manager Mauricio Pochettino has decided to place his faith in current first choice Kepa Arrizabalaga next season.

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