Andre Onana to Man Utd: Inter defiance forces Ten Hag’s hand at critical juncture of huge Old Trafford transfer

Inter Milan are reportedly refusing to budge from their £51million asking price for Andre Onana, given they are now fully aware of Manchester United’s obvious need for a new No.1 after David de Gea’s exit.

The experienced Spanish stopper confirmed on Saturday that he is walking away from the club after a stellar 12-year stay at Old Trafford, having opted against signing a new contract.

That has led United to step up their chase for his successor, with Inter star Onana known to have been Erik ten Hag’s top target for some time.

The pair worked together at Ajax and the Ten Hag is a big fan of the 27-year-old’s ability to build play from the back.

The Red Devils actually opened talks with Onana alongside their negotiations with De Gea over his future as they looked to get a head start in case the latter opted to move on.

And now that has proven to be the case, it’s expected that the Cameroon international’s move to Manchester is almost a formality.

Inter actually rejected an opening United bid of around £38m. However, the Red Devils are confident that a compromise can be found somewhere between their offer and the Serie A club’s £51m asking price.

Inter refusing to budge on Onana price

However, Sky Sports reports that Inter are in no mood to lower their asking price and feel that United have little choice but to pay £51m, given De Gea has now left the club.

Paying that figure could then have a knock-on effect in terms of what Ten Hag can spend on a new striker.

It’s been rumoured all summer that the Dutchman has £120m to spend, with £55m of that already going on the addition of Mason Mount.

That leaves £65m in the kitty to get a new keeper and a No.9, and if £51m is spent on Onana that leaves little scope for landing the likes of Rasmus Hojlund.

It’s now up to Old Trafford transfer chiefs to do the best deal they can for Onana and then move to on Hojlund.

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