Man United ‘Pushing’ Star to Saudi Exit with £40m Replacement Lined Up – Report | OneFootball

Man Utd Open to Onana Exit Amid Saudi Interest and Amorim’s Plans

Manchester United’s summer rebuild under Ruben Amorim appears to be gathering pace, with fresh reports indicating that Andre Onana could follow Bruno Fernandes through the Old Trafford exit. According to The United Stand, United “will entertain a sale” of the Cameroon goalkeeper should the right offer arrive, further reinforcing rumours of a potential fire sale as Amorim looks to reshape the squad in his own image.

Despite a big-money move from Inter Milan, Onana’s debut campaign at United has been anything but smooth. Initially signed for £43.8m (€50m), the 28-year-old has faced scrutiny after a string of high-profile errors. While he did feature prominently throughout the season, TEAMtalk highlights how Amorim “twice took him out of the side”, indicating a lack of complete faith in the player.

Saudi Arabia Move: Reality or Rumour?

While Fernandes’ proposed move to Al-Hilal seems to be advancing quickly, with Fabrizio Romano claiming they’re willing to pay “whatever it takes”, the Onana situation is more ambiguous.

Sources quoted by The United Stand dismiss claims that a deal with Neom SC is imminent. “No advanced talks, no done deal, not even a desire to bring the player to Neom SC,” they state, clarifying that while “wider Saudi interest” exists, no concrete offer has emerged.

Fraser Fletcher corroborates this, stating United have “alerted Saudi Pro League clubs to his availability”, and that the club is “actively trying to get rid of Onana.” But the goalkeeper’s £200,000-per-week wage and long-term contract through to 2028 complicate matters. Additionally, Onana is said to be content in the North West, with “no desire” to leave, having recently purchased a home in Hale Barns.

Amorim’s Vision Taking Shape

Ruben Amorim appears to have convinced United’s hierarchy that a change is necessary between the posts. Reports suggest the club are already lining up replacements, with Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, who is valued at £40million, Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens, and World Cup winner Emi Martinez of Aston Villa among the leading candidates.

Photo: IMAGO

Martinez is considered the standout choice should Villa show any willingness to negotiate. As Amorim looks to bring control and confidence to United’s build-up play, Chevalier and Lammens represent younger, progressive options. In all cases, the move away from Onana signals a serious intent to revamp United’s defensive stability.

Financial Factors and Long-Term Planning

The notion of letting Onana go for as little as £20m underlines United’s willingness to cut losses, despite the significant fee paid just two windows ago. While that might raise eyebrows from a financial point of view, it aligns with a wider strategy of reshaping the wage bill and adapting the squad to Amorim’s pressing style.

This summer could see an aggressive turnover of personnel, and Onana’s departure would be emblematic of a club no longer willing to compromise on fit and performance. The United Stand deserve credit for revealing how United are “not desperately trying to push the goalkeeper out”, but remain realistic about his future.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United fans, this is a bittersweet development. Onana was heralded as the modern, ball-playing keeper that would anchor United’s new identity. Yet it hasn’t quite clicked. His erratic performances left many questioning whether the pressure of the Premier League got the better of him.

Still, the idea of cashing in on Onana to reinvest in more suitable options fits the hopeful narrative many fans are starting to believe in under Amorim. The mention of Lucas Chevalier and Emi Martinez is exciting. Martinez especially would bring leadership and the kind of mentality United have sorely lacked between the sticks since the peak De Gea days.

As one hopeful fan might say, “If Amorim doesn’t see Onana as the man, we have to trust that. He’s clearly got a plan. And if this is the beginning of building a team with real direction, then moving Onana on might be the right call.”

The ambition to take bold decisions, even on expensive signings, is a positive shift. Amorim seems to have the backing of the board and now, potentially, the patience of the fans. That could be the most important transfer of all.