Chelsea have decided against pursuing a move for Andre Onana after being unable to reach any sort of agreement with Inter Milan over a potential summer transfer, leaving Manchester United in pole position to snap up the Cameroonian.
The Blues are keen to add a new goalkeeper to their ranks this summer, and had identified Onana as a potential option. There were even hopes that Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly, who were wanted by Inter, may be able to be used as potential makeweights to bring the cost of a deal down.
However, that has proved impossible, and the price tag has proved too excessive for Chelsea, who are already expected to spend heavily in midfield and on a striker.
It has left Manchester United the favourites for the goalkeeper, with Onana expected to cost around £50m and potentially set to reunite with Erik ten Hag, who he worked with at Ajax.
Contract talks with current no.1 David de Gea have stalled and there is the possibility that he will leave the club on a free transfer, which may open the door to a move for Onana.
Will Onana move?
Onana impressed for the Nerazzuri in Istanbul even as his side lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Champions League final, with his distribution drawing rave reviews from all corners including opposition boss Pep Guardiola.
“I’m so, so happy at Inter”, he explained.
“At this professional level you never know what happens.
“I’m available for Inter, they decide and I will accept what they want. I’m happy at Inter”.
He was always thought to prefer a move to Manchester United over Chelsea should the choice be handed to him, with the Red Devils able to offer Champions League football next season.
