In an effort that could even be construed as verging on brinksmanship, Erik ten Hag is reportedly going all out to reassure Inter Milan’s Andre Onana that Manchester United will ‘do everything’ to bring the goalkeeper to the Premier League this summer.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that United could turn to Justin Bijlow for £20 million as a possible alternative to Andre Onana as a ploy to convince Inter Milan to get off their high horse, something akin to what they did to land Chelsea’s Mason Mount by making an obvious play for Moises Caicedo initially.
It’s obvious that Inter are as much in need of the Onana deal going through as United are. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzuri’s best opportunity to finance a deal that would keep Romelu Lukaku at the San Siro would be to sell Onana.
Additionally, Inter’s financial issues, long in the public domain, would be eased to some extent by releasing Onana to Old Trafford for an initial £42 million.
The news outlet also maintains that there remains a sense of ‘optimism’ behind the scenes that a deal between United and Inter will eventually materialize as Ten Hag has reportedly ‘reassured’ his former Ajax goalkeeper that United will move heaven and earth to bring him to England, having already ‘reached an agreement’ with personal terms.
The Cameroon international is expected to take home at United around £100,000-a-week, double of what he takes at Inter, which would be about a quarter of the salary David de Gea was earning last season. The long-serving Spaniard officially became a free-agent on Saturday but there could be a chance of him returning to United as conversations between both parties have been scheduled over the coming days.
It’s open knowledge Ten Hag has a desire to bring in a goalkeeper more confident with the ball at his feet and Onana is one of Europe’s very best with the ball in possession.
Inter apparently want £42 million up front, escalating to £51 million, which is good value for a young, improving shot-stopper, but possibly a fee that could United’s budget to the limit.
Sky Italia reporter Riccardo Gentile believes Inter will accept an offer, saying:
“Inter are doing well. The Onana operation is a good signal; the ability to go and get him for free and re-sell him at that figure. It is a crazy market operation.
“If an offer like that comes, you can’t say no to make ends meet. That’s how it works.”