Manchester United have prepared a new proposal to get Inter Milan to sanction Andre Onana’s switch to Old Trafford after their initial attempt encountered the Italians’ resistance.
Nerazzurri sporting director Piero Ausilio didn’t think twice before rejecting the Red Devils’ initial bid for the 27-year-old goalkeeper worth around €45 million.
Ausilio has urged Erik ten Hag’s employers to dig deeper into the pockets to get the deal over the line, with the Serie A side holding out for their €60m valuation of the Cameroonian star.
But negotiations have never hit a dead end, as the Theatre of Dreams heavyweights keep coming back with fresh ideas, determined to make Onana their new shot-stopper.
Earlier today we reported that Man Utd were close to making a €52m bid (£45m) –
Fabrizio Romano now reports Man Utd have indulged Ausilio’s wish, increasing their bid to €50m in the hope Inter’s stance could be softened despite their stubbornness in the ongoing discussions.
United are ready to offer the Italians €50m up front plus another €5m in add-ons, but there’s a feeling it’d require an extra €5m to complete the purchase.
Since the distance between the clubs’ valuations is manageable, with United acquiring Onana’s blessing in advance, negotiations proceed with optimism.
Inter took advantage of the goalie’s contract wobble at Ajax to snap him up on a free transfer last summer, probably expecting him to be Samir Handanovic’s long-term successor between the sticks.
However, Onana’s sublime form in Serie A last season has effectively ended those hopes, considering the Italians don’t have the means to fight wealthier Premier League clubs.
The Nerazzurri will at least make a substantial profit from the Cameroon international’s move to Man Utd, which should secure enough money to pursue a quality replacement.
As for United, Onana’s likely arrival would probably spell the end of David de Gea’s reign in goal even if the Spaniard was to commit to a new deal in Manchester.
De Gea is currently a free agent after his contract ran out on June 30, but the parties are still in touch to see if there’s room for the continuation.
