In an effort that could even be construed as verging on brinksmanship, Erik ten Hag is reportedly going all out to reassure Inter Milan\u2019s Andre Onana that Manchester United will \u2018do everything\u2019 to bring the goalkeeper to the Premier League this summer.<\/p>\n
Reports have surfaced suggesting that United\u00a0could turn to Justin Bijlow for \u00a320 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\u2019s Mason Mount by making an obvious play for Moises Caicedo initially.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s obvious that Inter are as much in need of the Onana deal going through as United are. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nerazzuri\u2019s best opportunity to finance a deal that would keep Romelu Lukaku at the San Siro would be to sell Onana.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Inter\u2019s financial issues, long in the public domain, would be eased to some extent by releasing Onana to Old Trafford for an initial \u00a342 million.<\/p>\n
The news outlet also maintains\u00a0that there remains a sense of \u2018optimism\u2019 behind the scenes that a deal between United and Inter will eventually materialize as Ten Hag has reportedly \u2018reassured\u2019 his former Ajax goalkeeper that United will move heaven and earth to bring him to England, having already \u2018reached an agreement\u2019 with personal terms.<\/p>\n
The Cameroon international is expected to\u00a0take home at United around \u00a3100,000-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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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\u2019s very best with the ball in possession.<\/p>\n
Inter apparently want \u00a342 million up front, escalating to \u00a351 million, which is good value for a young, improving shot-stopper, but possibly a fee that could United\u2019s budget to the limit.<\/p>\n
Sky Italia reporter Riccardo Gentile believes Inter\u00a0will\u00a0accept an offer, saying:<\/p>\n
\u201cInter 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf an offer like that comes, you can\u2019t say no to make ends meet. That\u2019s how it works.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"