Final Manchester United Andre Onana obstacle laid out with fee agreement close

Manchester United are close to agreeing on a fee with Inter Milan for the signing of Andre Onana with a compromise required for the valuation.

That information is according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, who stated that The Reds are willing to spend £43 million plus add-ons for Erik ten Hag‘s target, while Inter are demanding £51 million.

It was said that if the two teams ‘meet halfway’ then the transfer ‘should go through’ and that Inter are ‘optimistic’ about the player’s departure to United and are pursuing a replacement.

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This follows conflicting reports which suggested that Onana’s price means that United are unable to purchase the no.1 – De Telegraaf have reported that Inter’s £51 million valuation of the Cameroon goalkeeper has led to Erik ten Hag shifting his attention to Feyenoord keeper Justin Bijlow to replace David de Gea, who is worth a third of Onana in United’s eyes.

Onana, 27, worked with Ten Hag at Ajax for five years and was a key member of the successful teams in the Eredivisie under the Dutch manager.

His ability with the ball at his feet is second-to-none and was clear to see in the Champions League final despite Inter’s defeat against Manchester City. Ten Hag has previously stated the importance of a goalkeeper’s ability to play out from the back.

“It’s not what I want [top footwork], it’s more what top football demands nowadays,” Ten Hag said back in May when asked if being good on the ball is important for a modern goalkeeper. “If you observe teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back and use your keeper as a plus one.

“Otherwise it’s simple for opponents to put you under pressure. He [De Gea] had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression.”

Despite Onana’s complicated exit from Ajax last year, Ten Hag remained supportive of the “masterful” player and looks to be keen on a reunion.

David de Gea’s contract at Old Trafford ran out last Friday evening, although the final decision is yet to be confirmed despite it seeming unlikely that he will resign with the club.

The Spaniard enjoyed his wedding on Saturday, with former teammate Juan Mata in attendance, and United are reportedly set to meet face-to-face with the goalkeeper soon in order to come to a conclusion to the long-standing saga.