Manchester United are reportedly hoping to sign Inter Milan custodian Andre Onana within the next 72 hours.
Erik ten Hag has named his former Ajax custodian as his first candidate to replace David de Gea, who left on a free transfer over the weekend.
The Red Devils have stepped up their attempts to get Onana to the Theatre of Dreams in the last week, and it is reported that they made an opening bid of £38.5 million, which Inter refused.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils are claimed to be “really close” to a deal with the Nerazzurri, and Onana is said to have already negotiated personal terms with the club.
Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via The Mirror), Manchester United are hoping to reach an agreement with Inter before Onana returns for pre-season on July 13.
The Italian site claims that the Red Devils are hoping to spend €50 million (£42.9 million) for the ex-Cameroon international, although Sky Sports News refutes the claims.
With Onana still under contract to Simone Inzaghi’s side for another four years, Inter have allegedly established an asking price of €60 million (£51.4 million) and are refusing to budge.
Nonetheless, there is thought to be a “willingness” from all parties concerned to get a trade done this week, and Onana has stated his desire to reconnect with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Before a nine-month suspension for a failing drug test in early 2021, the former Barcelona youngster was Ten Hag’s unquestioned number one in Amsterdam.
Onana followed Ten Hag out of Ajax last summer, joining Inter Milan on a free transfer, and he swiftly resurrected his career in Italy, recording 19 clean sheets in 41 games in his debut season.
The 27-year-old Inter custodian achieved eight shutouts in the Champions League before losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the final, while also winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana with the Nerazzurri.
Inter recruited Onana as a long-term replacement for Samir Handanovic, who was demoted to second choice last season and became a free agent at the end of June, but the Slovenian has yet to decide on his future.
In any case, Inter are scouting potential replacements for Onana and are reportedly interested in Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris and Bayern Munich’s Yann Sommer, though the former may face competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
Along with Onana, Manchester United are said to be interested in Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, with Dean Henderson poised to leave permanently alongside De Gea.
On Wednesday, the Red Devils head to Oslo for their first preseason friendly against Leeds United, where new addition Mason Mount might make his debut.
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