Man Utd to spring shock double signing after lodging €50m bid; second deal hinges on major exit

Man Utd are open to signing two new goalkeepers this summer – not one – and an improved €50m bid has been tabled for Erik ten Hag’s dream addition, per reports.

The three main areas Ten Hag is seeking to address this summer are goalkeeper, central midfield and striker. Mason Mount has been unveiled after completing a £55m plus £5m in add-ons move from Chelsea. However, with the Guardian confirming United’s transfer budget is just £120m prior to player sales, money for the other additions is tight.

As such, it came as no surprise to see United open the bidding for Andre Onana well below Inter Milan’s asking price.

Inter are understood to value the 27-year-old around the €60m mark. United’s opening offer worth £39m (€45.5m) was understandably rejected.

ESPN recently labelled Onana as being Ten Hag’s perfect signing between the sticks this summer. Ten Hag managed Onana at Ajax between 2017-22 and the Cameroon international is far more comfortable on the ball than David de Gea.

Not to be deterred, Fabrizio Romano has brought news of Man Utd upping their offer. Per the transfer guru, United have improved their bid to €50m (€45m plus €5m in add-ons).

That is still €10m below Inter’s public asking price, though Romano suggested a deal is potentially there to be had.

Indeed, the reporter added “sources believe €55m could be the right number to make it happen”. If true, United are just €5m away from the golden number.

In a follow-up update, Romano confirmed personal terms have been agreed between United and Onana.

As such, bridging the small valuation gap and passing a medical are all that stands between Ten Hag reuniting with Onana at Old Trafford.

But while Onana is clearly priority number one in the goalkeeping position, the Manchester Evening News claim a second stopper could also arrive.

Two GKs on the Man Utd menu?

They state that with De Gea now a free agent and Dean Henderson still on course to join Nottingham Forest outright, Man Utd are ‘open to signing two goalkeepers’.

It’s acknowledged that scenario hinges on De Gea not returning to Old Trafford. The veteran Spaniard saw his contract expire on June 30, though varying reports have claimed there could be a way back.

The Independent are among those to report De Gea and United will hold further discussions. Ten Hag has refused to publicly state De Gea will be his starter next year, meaning De Gea may have to accept both a bench role and a hefty pay-cut before penning fresh terms.

In the event he opts for a new challenge elsewhere, the MEN suggest a new keeper other than Onana could be brought in.

Given the need to conserve money for the striker chase, it stands to reason the second stopper would not cost a fortune and would compete with Tom Heaton to be chief back-up to Onana.

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