Onana was Man Utd’s SECOND choice after £70m EXTORTION

Tom Hancock

• 15 Jul 2023 21:04 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United reportedly turned their attention to Andre Onana after deciding against a move for Jordan Pickford.

Onana looks set to complete a big-money switch from Inter Milan, after David de Gea left Old Trafford as a free agent – but it appears that United were intent on signing Pickford.

But it seems that Everton’s valuation of the England one didn’t match up with what Man Utd were willing to pay, putting an end to any possibility of getting a deal done.

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According to a report from the Daily Star, United were hopeful of snapping up Pickford for £45m – but Everton are said to have demanded £70m for the 29-year-old, who produced a string of inspired performances to help keep the Toffees in the Premier League last season.

And the rumoured fee agreed for Onana would keep Man Utd within that budget: Inter have reportedly agreed to sell the 27-year-old Cameroonian for an initial €50m (£42.9m).

Assuming the move goes through, it will mark what many would say is a long overdue changing of the guard between the sticks for the 13-time Premier League champions – where De Gea was number one for 12 years.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers | All the Done Deals

A new number one and two?

So far this summer, United have made just the one signing – although it was a big one: the acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £60m.

Securing Onana’s services would secure one of their two biggest needs, though – the other being a new number nine – and the former Ajax man, who reached the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals under Erik ten Hag, looks set to be one of two new ‘keepers heading to Old Trafford.

That’s because Man Utd appear poised to sign 20-year-old Japan international Zion Suzuki from Urawa Reds.