Andre Onana: 5 Interesting Facts About Man United Transfer Target

Andre Onana: 5 Interesting Facts About Man United Transfer Target

Fred Kennedy
updated at July 13, 2023 at 2:47 PM
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  • Andre Onana is a top summer transfer target for Manchester United
  • United want the Inter Milan goalkeeper to replace David de Gea
  • De Gea quit Old Trafford after the expiry of his contract

Manchester United are currently shopping for an experienced goalkeeper to replace David de Gea.

De Gea departed Old Trafford this summer after he failed to land a new contract, with his exit bringing his more than a decade-long stint with United to an end.

According to reports, the Red Devils have since shortlisted Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana as their top transfer target to succeed the Spaniard.

Andre Onana celebrates during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Inter Milan and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein.
Andre Onana celebrates during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Inter Milan and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein.
Source: Getty Images

According to Metro UK, United initially had their bid of around £38m turned down by Inter, with the Serie A club said to be demanding a fee in the region of £51m for the shotstopper.

Be that as it may, the publication claims the Premier League giants are confident of reaching a compromise in the next few days for the signature of Onana.

But who is Andre Onana?

Sports Brief takes a look at five interesting facts about the Cameroonian that you probably did not know:

1. Onana played under Ten Hag

The 27-year-old shotstopper played under United boss Erik ten Hag for three years during their time together at Ajax.

Onana joined Ajax in 2016 from Jong Ajax before Ten Hag linked up with him when he joined the Dutch giants a year later.

2. Onana was once banned

While Onana has enjoyed an illustrious career over the years, his football journey has not fallen short of pitfalls.

The Cameroonian was once slapped with a nine-month ban from football over doping.

The ex-Ajax ace had tested positive for a banned substance and was initially handed a one-year suspension before it was reduced to nine months.

3. Onana once clashed with Ten Hag

Despite the two working together for three years, the duo actually had a strained relationship at some point.

According to GiveMeSport, the pair did not see eye-to-eye after Onana returned from his suspension.

The goalkeeper initially struggled to get his way back into Ten Hag's team, with the manager at one time criticising his player for not being in shape.

4. Onana quits World Cup

As previously mentioned, Onana's career has not been short of controversies.

The goalkeeper was part of the Cameroon squad that took part in the 2021 World Cup in Qatar.

However, a fallout with his head coach Rigobert Song saw the goalkeeper quit the tournament prematurely.

5. Eto'o helped Onana

Were it not for Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o, there is every chance that we would not know the shotstopper.

The goalkeeper started his football journey with the Samuel Eto'o Foundation, which was founded in 2006.

The organisation was founded to give youngsters in Cameroon the platform to explore their talents.

Onana is among the lucky few who benefited from the program.

Other alternatives to Onana

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that United have two alternatives to Onana if the deal proves too expensive and they walk away.

Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow and Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp are two options to consider, both of whom would cost less than half of what Inter are demanding for the former Ajax goalkeeper.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team
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Old TraffordTransfersErik Ten Haag