In a surprising revelation, Manchester United reportedly went above and beyond to secure the services of goalkeeper Andre Onana during the summer transfer window. According to sources, the Red Devils forked out a significant sum, far exceeding the player’s estimated value in the market.
United’s summer spending spree saw them splash approximately £175 million on key signings, addressing crucial positions left vacant by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea. Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Mason Mount, and Sofyan Amrabat were among the high-profile additions to the squad.
With the departure of Ronaldo, finding a new goal-scoring talisman became a top priority for manager Erik ten Hag. The club invested an initial fee of around £64 million to secure the services of Rasmus Hojlund as the new striking force.
Another vital position that needed reinforcement was the goalkeeper role, vacated by David De Gea. Drawing on his past association with Onana at Ajax, ten Hag identified the Cameroonian as the top choice. Despite Onana’s reputation as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers globally, his early-season errors faced scrutiny.
Inter Milan, facing financial challenges, reluctantly parted ways with Onana, who had delivered stellar performances for them, reaching the Champions League final in the previous season. Astonishingly, it has been revealed that Inter Milan would have accepted a mere £6 million for the player, a stark contrast to the hefty sum United eventually paid.
Bryan King, a former scout for Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Aston Villa, disclosed insights from discussions with a member of Inter Milan’s board. According to King, Inter Milan was prepared to let Onana go for a modest £6 million. However, they were taken aback when United’s offer surpassed the £50 million mark.
King commented on the situation during Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, stating, “Ten Hag hasn’t given me any confidence that Man United are a side that can win the Premier League. That must come from the people he’s brought in. A friend of mine knows the sporting director at Inter Milan, and they were prepared to let Onana go for about £6 million. Then, all of a sudden, an email comes in offering over £50 million for him.”
Ten Hag, however, stood by his decision to bring Onana to Old Trafford and defended the goalkeeper’s performances. In a press statement, the manager said, “If you analyze it well, then you see he is the second-best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats, so his expected defending goals are the second best in the Premier League. He’s doing well. Also, he knows that in the Champions League, he makes some mistakes, but all over you see the first five months he is doing particularly well.”
This revelation sheds light on the complexities of the football transfer market, where valuations can differ significantly between clubs. Manchester United’s willingness to pay a premium for Onana reflects their determination to secure key assets, even if it means exceeding the perceived market value.