Transfer Centre

Andre Onana 'turns down Saudi interest in hope of joining Manchester United'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 July 2023

Onana 'turns down Saudi interest in hope of joining Man United'

Andre Onana rejects interest from Saudi Arabia in the hope of securing a move to Manchester United from Inter Milan, according to a report.

Andre Onana has reportedly rejected interest from Saudi Arabia this summer in the hope of securing a move to Manchester United from Inter Milan.

The former Cameroon international is currently being heavily linked with a move to Man United, with the club in the market for a new goalkeeper following David de Gea's departure on a free transfer.

De Gea could yet return to Old Trafford, but it is believed that the English team's priority at this moment in time is to explore a deal to bring Onana to Manchester ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta confirmed over the weekend that the 20-time English champions are interested in signing the 27-year-old during the current transfer window.

Man United are believed to have already failed with an offer for Onana, meanwhile, placing a bid of €40m (£34.3m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses on the table, which was rejected.

Inter Milan's Andre Onana reacts in April 2023 © Reuters

Inter are believed to be looking for €60m (£51.4m) for the goalkeeper, although there is a feeling that a compromise could be reached that would suit both parties.

Onana starred for his Italian club during the 2022-23 campaign following a move from Ajax, featuring on 41 occasions in all competitions, keeping 19 clean sheets in the process.

The ex-Cameroon international kept eight clean sheets in 13 appearances in the Champions League, as Inter made the final before losing to Manchester City, while he made three appearances in the team's Coppa Italia success, although he was an unused substitute in the final.

A recent report claimed that Al-Nassr are ready to make a bid for the goalkeeper, with the Saudi Arabian outfit prepared to pay him a lucrative salary to move to the country.

Cameroon's Andre Onana pictured on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

However, according to 90min, Onana has made it clear that he is not interested in a switch to Al-Nassr, as he is determined to push through a move to Old Trafford.

The report claims that Man United are confident of being able to strike a deal with Inter due to the Italian club's financial problems, which could lead to them dropping their asking price.

Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag worked with Onana at Ajax and allegedly views the Cameroonian as the ideal goalkeeper to become his number one moving forward.

Man United are on the verge of securing the signature of Mason Mount from Chelsea, with the attacker set to arrive at Old Trafford this week.

Meanwhile, the club remain determined to sign a new centre-forward, with Atalanta BC's Rasmus Hojlund seemingly emerging as their leading target in the final third of the field.