According to The Sun, Manchester United have identified Andre Onana as their desired replacement for David de Gea. The Spaniard has been linked with a move to PSG, of late, which has prompted United to scour the market for a potential replacement. And as a result, the Red Devils have set their sights on this Ajax ‘keeper.
Manchester United hierarchy has been impressed with Onana’s performances this past season and it is believed that the Cameroonian international could cost around £40 million this summer.
Onana’s success at Ajax
A former member of the Samuel Eto’o academy, Onana was a part of the Barcelona youth during the early stages of his career. But, after failing to break through to the senior side for the Blaugrana, the young ‘keeper was sold to Ajax for just £135k back in 2015.
And since then, Onana has become a vital part of the Ajax defence, having made 139 appearances across all competitions during his four-year spell with the club. He has kept 59 clean sheets which stand at a healthy ratio of clean sheet/2.35 matches.
This past season, the 23-year-old has kept 16 clean sheets in his 33 appearances in the Eredivisie, helping his club win their 34th Dutch league title. His performance in between the sticks was also crucial in sensationally guiding Ajax to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.
What can Onana bring to the table?
Onana is generally advertised as a sweeper-keeper, who has the audacity to leave his post and move forward in order to neutralise any potential opportunity for the opposition. So essentially, he is quite good on the ball and has the ability to beat his man when needed.
The Cameroonian international has averaged 2.4 saves per game this past season – quite respectable given Ajax’s dominance in the Eredivisie. More than half of those saves have come from inside the penalty box, which is indicative of his lightning quick reflexes.
Should Manchester United make a move for Onana?
Onana would be an ideal signing for Manchester United and better yet, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian is keen to build his around young players, who are willing to listen to him and have room for improvement. The Ajax ‘keeper, in that regard, could be an ideal option, at the age of 23.
The Cameroonian may not be as talented as Jan Oblak, who is another goalkeeper Manchester United have been linked with this month, but, he certainly has the potential as well as the quality and can be groomed into an ideal long-term replacement for de Gea.
Most importantly, Onana’s £40 million valuation makes him a considerably cheaper option than Oblak, who has a reported release clause of a staggering £106 million, which would make him the most expensive goalkeeper in the history.
