After a transaction between Manchester United and Inter Milan worth up to £47.2 million was eventually finalized, ANDRE ONANA will join the Red Devils today.
The goalkeeper arrived last night by plane and will sign a five-year contract with the possibility of an additional year after passing a medical.
Erik ten Hag, the team’s manager, is optimistic that he will be able to join his team by the time they depart on their American tour following tonight’s friendly match against Lyon in Edinburgh.
The 27-year-old will cost the Red Devils £43.8m up front with the remainder of the amount contingent on add-ons, but first, a visa must be arranged for him.
After former No. 1 David de Gea moved on a free transfer at the end of last month after a 12-year tenure and 545 games, Ten Hag gave him top priority.
Onana, a Cameroonian, had already agreed to a salary of almost £200,000 per week before bidding his Inter teammates farewell yesterday and leaving for the airport.
He won three Eredivisie championships under Ten Hag before departing Ajax on a free transfer less than a year ago, and the two will now be reunited.
Onana, who retired from international competition in December after having a disagreement with Cameroon manager Rigobert Song during the World Cup, is Ten Hag’s second significant acquisition of the summer after Mason Mount’s £55 million move.
Rasmus Hojlund of Atlanta will now be the focus of the Dutchman’s entire attention.
The 6ft 3in Danish striker, who has played just 87 professional games and netted nine goals in 32 appearances last season, was initially wanted by the Italian club for an outrageous £86 million.
However, the Old Trafford team is getting more optimistic that they can reduce the cost to about £60 million, including add-ons for the 20-year-old.
With Onana’s acquisition and Mount’s fee, Ten Hag has now spent £98.8 million of his transfer budget, which is capped at £120 million.
But with the availability of Harry Maguire, Anthony Elanga, Alex Telles, Scott McTominay, and Dean Henderson, he intends to make up the shortfall for Hojlund in player sales.
And he anticipates receiving up to £10 million for fullback Telles.
The 30-year-old is believed to have already reached personal terms with Al-Nassr, where he will reunite with former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
After a £10 million offer was turned down, goalkeeper Henderson’s transfer to Nottingham Forest has been put on hold.
However, the clubs are still anticipated to agree on a bigger sum, especially with Onana slated to replace Young as United’s first goalkeeper.
Source: thesun
