Man Utd make major transfer ‘breakthrough’ as second signing is now ‘very close’ with flight booked
Man Utd are now on the verge of signing Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana after a ‘breakthrough’ in negotiations, according to reports.
The Red Devils are looking to replace David de Gea after the Spaniard left the club on a free transfer at the end of this contract this summer.
De Gea accepted a new contract offer on reduced terms, only for Man Utd to retract the proposal and put a new offer on the table for even less money.
That saw De Gea consider his options and it now appears that Onana will come in as his replacement with The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell claiming Man Utd are ‘expected to agree personal terms’ with the Cameroon international ‘today’.
The journalist adds that ‘the clubs are very close to finalising his transfer fee’ with Onana ‘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’.
Man Utd ‘had a breakthrough on Saturday’ with Onana’s representatives over the salary on offer and talks over terms are now ‘effectively complete’.
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It is expected that a ‘compromise’ over a fee between the Red Devils and Inter will ‘be reached today or tomorrow’ with the price ‘still being negotiated’.
There had been reports that Inter were holding out for around €60m with Man Utd’s last proposal worth €43m plus €5m in add-ons.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Onana will be a “fantastic signing” for Man Utd but warns supporters to expect a few mistakes next season.
“If Onana is coming in, I think he’s a fantastic signing,” Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel. “A huge talent and a real modern-day goalkeeper,
“You see teams pressing him and he does not even panic. He gets the ball into him, brings on the press, says ‘come on, come to me’, and then when that player comes to him he knows there’s a player free somewhere else and he normally finds them.
“I think there will be mistakes and playing that risky way, you do have mistakes and that happens.
“But it’s about staying true to your beliefs, finding a right balance and remaining confident throughout those periods.
“It’s interesting to see how this pans out, but I believe this is a deal that will be made at some point through this transfer window.”
