Inter Milan is staunchly standing its ground on the £51m (€60m) price tag attached to goalkeeper Andre Onana, casting a shadow over Manchester United's earnest pursuit of the Cameroonian star. United is actively hunting for a successor for David de Gea, who has officially declared his departure from the club.
While the talks between Inter Milan and Manchester United have so far progressed positively, the core dispute revolves around the fee and the deal's financial structure. According to insiders, the stakeholders are mutually eager to iron out these kinks before Onana's scheduled return to Inter's pre-season on July 13.
Fabrizio Romano, the reputable Italian journalist, has insinuated that a breakthrough may occur within this week, which implies that Manchester United is prepared to meet Inter's non-negotiable asking price. A former protegé of Erik ten Hag during their stint at Ajax, Onana has clearly expressed his interest in moving to Old Trafford and reuniting with his erstwhile coach.
Parallelly, United is exploring alternative options, having expressed interest in Zion Suzuki, the promising young Japanese goalkeeper. Should the Onana deal fall through, Suzuki could be seen as a potential understudy for the new number one.
The Red Devils' captain Harry Maguire is set to engage in a discussion with coach Ten Hag about his role amidst this whirlpool of changes. The defender, who joined United for a record £80m in 2019, has been sidelined for a majority of the previous season, raising questions about his future at the club.
In another key move to restructure their squad, United is considering the sale of midfielder Fred, who has drawn interest from Fulham. They're also exploring potential midfield reinforcements, with Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat in their crosshairs.
Manchester United's ambitious summer plans also include a pursuit of Atalanta's striker Rasmus Hojlund. Although disagreements over the valuation persist, Hojlund's camp has hinted that the player is eager to don the United jersey.
Meanwhile, Andre Onana seems to be inching closer to finalizing his contract with Manchester United. According to Sport Mediaset, an agreement has been reached over a five-year deal worth €7million per annum for the Inter Milan shot-stopper.
Onana, with his impressive performance in the Serie A and a surprising Champions League final run with Inter last season, represents a crucial signing for the Red Devils. Following the departure of De Gea, the acquisition of the 27-year-old Cameroonian could bring a fresh vigor to Manchester United's goal line.
With a formal offer expected shortly, United appears willing to fork out a lofty sum of €60million for the exceptional goalkeeper. The deal could soon be solidified, marking a significant step in United's summer transfer campaign.
