Andre Onana’s agent reveals two Premier League clubs goalkeeper snubbed to join Manchester United

Andre Onana’s agent has explained the process of the player’s signing at Manchester United and the interest within the Premier League for the goalkeeper.

Onana, 27, joined United last week and is set to make his debut against Real Madrid on Thursday.

The shot-stopper signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with there being an additional year as an option for the club to trigger.

He has replaced David de Gea as Erik ten Hag’s first choice – despite not wearing the no.1 shirt – and will be key to the changing dynamics of the team’s build-up play. His predecessor, De Gea, was not well-suited to a ball playing style.

Onana is, however, and that is why Ten Hag was so keen to reunite with his former Ajax ‘keeper. The pair worked together in Amsterdam for five years before departing for Manchester and Milan respectively.

They are now back together and looking to win more silverware at United, however, the Reds were not the only ones vying for the 27-year-old’s signature.

In fact, Onana’s agent Albert Botines has explained that both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, among others, held interest in Onana and The Blues even met for discussions in the capital.

However, Botines would go onto explain how manager Ten Hag was ‘key’ in convincing Onana to make the move to United.

“It all started a few months ago. Around April many people inquired about the player. Tottenham asked for information, Chelsea had a very strong interest,” he told CalcioMercato.it.

“There were meetings in London and Chelsea had also met with Inter, but the figure of Ten Hag was key.”

Onana will be eager to get back to work alongside the Dutchman, who he believes is at the top in his field. “We have a great relationship,” the goalkeeper explained. “He’s a top coach and – for me – one of the best in the world.”

Ten Hag has added both Onana and Mason Mount to his squad so far this summer but is determined to sign a striker as well in order to address one of United’s biggest problems from last season.

“We will do everything in our power to get the right man in,” explained the United boss, when asked about progress in purchasing a no.9. “We know our targets and will put the effort in to get things done.”

Rasmus Hojlund has agreed personal terms with the club and it has been widely reported that United’s first verbal offer of £42.8 million, plus £8.5 million in add-ons, has been communicated to Atalanta.

However, it is unlikely that this will be accepted and instead, United will need to work similarly to their signings of Mount and Onana to slowly and steadily increase to an acceptable fee to sign the 20-year-old.