Andre Onana: Inter open talks while Man United reject eyes their rivals | OneFootball

Inter Milan have held “initial talks” to sign Andre Onana this summer – but the Manchester United reject is also eyeing a move to their Serie A rivals, according to a new report.

From Hero to Zero

Onana, 29, arrived at Old Trafford after a superb individual campaign for Inter in the 2022/23 season, as he helped propel his side to the finals of the Champions League and Coppa Italia, having joined from Ajax on a free transfer.

I Nerazzurri beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the cup, but fell to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Europe. Onana was superb, however, with Pep Guardiola specifically namechecking him in the build-up to the final in Istanbul as a key part of Inter’s tactical set-up.

The Spanish coach described him as “exceptional” and impossible to effectively press, such is the ease with which the Cameroon international can maintain possession under pressure.

And it was this profile – a ball-playing goalkeeper – which led United to agree a £47.2 million deal with Inter that summer, as Erik ten Hag wanted to be reunited with his former pupil in Amsterdam as a replacement for long-term stalwart, David De Gea.

It proved a disastrous signing, however, underlined by the fact that neither Ten Hag nor Onana are still at Old Trafford, despite the 29-year-old goalkeeper arriving from Italy with a reputation as one of Europe’s best shot-stoppers.

While the Dutchman’s demise does not need retelling, Onana’s is on loan at Trabzonspor in Türkiye, after falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim following the signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in September.

The deal is a straight loan, without a buy option, and full coverage of his wages. The Turkish side, who are currently third in the Süper Lig, are thought to be open to making the deal permanent, but Onana is intent on playing at a bigger club next season.

A San Siro Return

The dismissal of Amorim earlier this month had created the faint hope of rekindling his United career in Onana’s mind, but INEOS are intent on selling him this summer, regardless of who the next head coach is.

He would need to be sold for a minimum fee of £18.9m for the club to break even from a PSR perspective.

A report relayed The Peoples Person reveals this rejection has led the Cameroonian to consider a shock return to Inter Milan, with the Italian giant exploring the market for a new No. 1 to replace Yann Sommer.

Caught Offside confirms “initial talks” have been held between the two parties, though Onana is understood to be attracting interest from Juventus, while he is also angling for a move to Napoli or AS Roma, given the uncertainties in the goalkeeper departments at both clubs.

Regardless of which Italian club the Cameroonian settles upon, United will simply be looking to be finally rid of one of the worst signings in recent history – an almost impressive feat, given just how many candidates there are for this accolade at the Theatre of Dreams.

Featured image Clive Rose via Getty Images

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