Man Utd transfer talks accelerate for history-making deal as Ten Hag brutally tells regular it’s over

Manchester United are ready to launch an official bid to sign Andre Onana after holding a series of talks with Inter Milan over the goalkeeper – but any deal is likely to hit the Red Devils hard in the pocket.

The Red Devils are ready to turn their focus towards the Cameroon stopper as Erik ten Hag looks to reunite with him. Indeed, Onana thrived under the leadership of the Dutchman during their time together at Ajax. Now talks over a move to United are heating up at Ten Hag’s bequest.

United made significant strides under Ten Hag during his first season in charge, winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final. However, the true measure of their progress came in the Premier League, where they were able to finish third. Now the tough challenge of closing the gap on all-conquering Manchester City is next on the agenda.

In order to do that, Ten Hag hopes to make a series of marquee signings this summer.

To that end, he hopes to land a striker, a midfielder and a defender. However, hopes of landing top target Kim Min-jae are over after he accepted an offer to move elsewhere.

Nonetheless, Ten Hag will plough on and efforts to strengthen his side are continuing at pace.

And now it seems a deal to bring in Onana to Old Trafford is gaining real momentum.

Now regarded as one of the best in the world, the 27-year-old helped Inter reach the 2023 UCL final.

As a result, prising him away from the San Siro will not come cheap.

However, having held preliminary talks with Inter in Ibiza, there now seems a growing optimism a deal can be struck.

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Inter waiting for Man Utd to make Andre Onana bid

Talks over the transfer have been confirmed by Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta.

However, those have only served for United to discover Inter’s valuation of the star, together with learning their willingness to sell.

Now Marotta admits he is awaiting an official bid from United for his services.

“Manchester United confirmed to us that they are interested in Andre Onana” Marotta said. “We are waiting for an official proposal in the next days, then we will decide how to react right after.”

Inter are reportedly seeking an initial €50m (£42m) for the goalkeeper, while add-ons could take the deal up to €60m (£51.55m).

That will make Onana the most expensive goalkeeper in United’s history and the third most costly of all time.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive goalkeeper signings of all time

However, it seems it is a price that United are willing to pay with Ten Hag deeming the star worth the money. And if United can match Inter’s valuation, it should not be hard for the club to agree on personal terms thereafter.

United bid farewell to David De Gea

United’s need for a new No 1 is now clear after David De Gea’s deal was allowed to lapse without an agreement being reached.

He has kept goal for United for 12 seasons now, making a total of 545 appearances.

Talks over an extension had taken place, but United’s handling of his contract appears to have left a sour taste. First up, they had asked him to take a significant reduction on his now expired £375,000 a week arrangement.

And while an offer was submitted, it was later withdrawn before the ink was dried on the deal. Further talks proceeded, though with time ticking on, the two parties were not able to come to an agreement.

And it seems United’s reluctance to meet De Gea halfway has come about at the insistence of Ten Hag. While he would have been happy for De Gea to stay, it seems his desire to replace him as No 1 left the club in a sticky situation. Indeed, United did not want to pay hefty wages to a figure who would potentially see very little game-time.

As a result, Ten Hag reach the brutal decision to let De Gea’s deal lapse with the United boss communicating that plan to him. It means the Spaniard is now a free agent and able to sign for a club of his choosing.

De Gea was named United’s Player of the Year on four occasions, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League during his time at Old Trafford.

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