Onana jets out to meet his new team-mates on their pre-season tour in New York
Andre Onana was seen heading to New York on Thursday after carrying out his Manchester United medical, with the £43million goalkeeper set to link up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour.
United are poised to confirm the signing of Onana, 27, from Inter Milan on a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months after identifying him as their top target to replace David de Gea this summer.
De Gea called time on his 12-year spell at Old Trafford earlier this month after failing to agree a new deal – prompted by the reservations of manager Erik ten Hag over his suitability as the club prepare to challenge for major silverware.
Ten Hag and Co pinpointed Onana as their preferred candidate to succeed him in between the sticks, and after striking an initial £43m deal with Inter the shot-stopper was seen arriving in Manchester for his medical on Tuesday.
Two days later, the Cameroonian has been spotted at Manchester airport after seemingly completing that medical, allowing him to jet out to New York and link up with the squad ahead of official confirmation of his move.
If announced in time, Onana could make his debut against Arsenal on Saturday in New Jersey before featuring in subsequent matches against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
As he arrived at Milan airport on Tuesday, where he took a flight to Birmingham ahead of his medical, United’s new No 1 shared his thoughts on the move with Gazetta dello Sport.
‘The important thing is to be honest and always tell people the truth,’ the former Ajax shot-stopper said. ‘I am a person who always wants new challenges.
‘Playing in the Premier League and for a club like United is irresistible. All parties wanted this to happen.
‘But what matters is that, even if I had stayed, I would have been equally happy because I never had any problems at Inter. Indeed, a magic was born in Milan that is almost difficult to explain.’
When asked on how he felt about following in the footsteps of storied Man United goalkeepers such as Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van de Sar and David de Gea, Onana added: ‘Being chosen to continue this tradition makes me proud and responsible: I want to win trophies with my new companions.’
Onana previously played for Ten Hag during the latter’s time at Ajax, after rising through the academy ranks, and the Dutch manager was keen to facilitate a reunion as Man United ramped up their interest in the Serie A star after completing the £60m signing of Mason Mount earlier this month.
The goalkeeper is particularly strong with the ball at his feet, an area of weakness in De Gea’s game which Ten Hag was set on strengthening during the summer window.
Since moving to Inter Milan ahead of last season, Onana has made 41 appearances in all competitions and helped spur on Simone Inzaghi’s successful Copa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana bids.
Onana also featured in the Champions League final, which saw the Milanese club losed 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul in June.
The signing of Onana will take the club’s spending past the £100m mark and allow efforts to focus on the remaining priority for Ten Hag’s summer squad revamp: securing a striker.
Man United may look to once again raid the Italian league, with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund the club’s number one target in the position.
Winning the keeper’s signature could also allow Dean Henderson to complete a £20-move to Nottingham Forest.
The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at the club before his campaign was cut short due to injury, and is keen to return to the City Ground and regain the No 1 spot.
37-year-old Tom Heaton signed a one-year contract extension earlier in the window to provide cover in the face of a looming goalkeeping crisis, but should Man United make a move for the £5m-valued Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, the club may yet greenlight his transfer to Luton Town.
Suzuki, 20, became the youngest player in the history of J-League side Urawa Reds to sign a professional contract at the age of 16, and made his senior debut for Japan’s national team in 2022.
Now a free agent, David de Gea is reportedly eyeing a return to Spain after 12 years in Manchester, with Sevilla seeking his signature should their highly-rated shot-stopper Yassine Bounou leave this summer.
The Morocco international has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
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