According to a recent report by news outlet Mundo Deportivo, quoting Spanish radio show Cadena SER, Barcelona are said to be in contact with Ajax over the potential summer transfer of Cameroonian international goalkeeper Andre Onana.
It has been suggested that the Catalan side are keeping tabs on their former academy graduate’s situation at Ajax and that various other clubs across the continent hold an interest in the 24-year-old’s services.
The report claims that Onana was on Barcelona’s agenda last summer as well, as they searched for a back-up to Marc-André Ter Stegen after Jasper Cillessen announced that he was going to depart the Nou Camp. Moreover, it has been suggested in the report that the Cameroonian has a promise from Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars, that he will be allowed to leave when a satisfactory offer arrives.
What Is Barcelona’s Current Goalkeeping Situation?
The Catalan giants boast one of the best shot-stoppers in the world in Ter-Stegen, who is a German international with more than 20 caps for the national side. While that number might sound underwhelming on paper for a 27-year-old, it must be considered that his direct competition for the position is Bayern Munich custodian Manuel Neuer. Even with the German legend’s best efforts, it’s commendable that Ter Stegen has made such a name for himself.
The German has excellent reflexes and reactions, and that can be seen quite clearly from all the unbelievable saves he’s made over the last many seasons. Despite having to play second fiddle to Neuer in the national setup, it’s safe to say that Ter Stegen more than makes up for it during club duties.
Former Valencia man Neto is the Blaugrana’s second-choice keeper, who at 30, still has a considerable amount of time at the top of his game. Also, the Brazilian international isn’t the worst keeper in the world either.
Do Barcelona Need To Spend Money On André Onana?
Barcelona’s defensive numbers this season have been quite decent, and there certainly isn’t an immediate need to bring in an assured head between the sticks. Ter Stegen has started all 26 La Liga outings this season, and they managed to limit the opposing teams to just 29 goals. With eight clean sheets to his name as well, it must be conceded that the Catalan side’s goalkeeping situation isn’t half bad.
With that said, Andre Onana is on another level to Neto when it comes to shot-stopping, and there’s absolutely no debate that signing the Cameroonian would be an upgrade for Barcelona. Despite this, Ter Stegen, at 27, still has a lot left in his tank, and the only reason the Catalan side would need to spend money on a young keeper like Onana now would be to replace the German. As long as Ter Stegen is staying put at the Nou Camp, there’s no need for Barcelona to sign a keeper as prodigious as Onana, only for him to waste away on the bench.
