Manchester United increased their offer for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana on Thursday to a total of €50 million ($54 million) (€45 million plus €5 million in add-ons), sources told ESPN, and there is now mounting optimism at Old Trafford that a deal can be reached.
Inter informed United on Wednesday that their offer of €40 million ($43.4 million) was insufficient to approve Onana’s departure. This offer will likely be increased by €10 million, bringing United close to Inter’s valuation of €60 million.
All parties now believe that a compromise can be reached, permitting Onana to follow Mason Mount to Old Trafford.
Manager Erik ten Hag is searching for a new goalkeeper as the future of David de Gea remains uncertain.
According to ESPN’s sources, United is still planning to conduct face-to-face contract talks with the Spain goalkeeper, but club officials recognize he may not want to be the backup if Onana signs.
United’s non-international players returned to pre-season training on Thursday, but De Gea was not in attendance. The 32-year-old is a free agent as of June 30 due to the expiration of his contract.
Ten Hag worked with Onana at Ajax, and the Cameroon international is his primary goalkeeper target in this transfer window.
United are hesitant to meet Inter’s asking price for the 27-year-old due to the need to save some of the summer budget to acquire a striker. Despite Ten Hag’s keen interest in the player, United are unwilling to meet Inter’s asking price.
United has backed away from a potential move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane due to Spurs’ valuation of the striker at more than £100 million, instead focusing on Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
Financial fair play concerns have limited Ten Hag’s summer transfer budget, and the club is aiming for a net spend between £100m and £150m.
Mount initially cost Chelsea £50 million, while Onana’s rumored transfer from Inter could cost another €50 million.
