Onana REJECTED Chelsea before Man Utd transfer
Tom Hancock
- 1 Aug 2023 17:01 BST
- 3 min read
Andre Onana snubbed both Chelsea and Tottenham prior to joining Manchester United, the goalkeeper’s agent has claimed.
The 27-year-old completed a €52.5m (£47m) move to Man Utd from Inter Milan last month, but it seems that the 13-time Premier League champions weren’t the only English club keen to secure his services.
Onana’s agent, Albert Botines, has been speaking about the period leading up to his client’s switch to Old Trafford.
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Botines told CalcioMercato: “It all started a few months ago. Towards April, many [clubs] inquired about the player [Onana].
“Tottenham asked for information; Chelsea had a very strong interest. There were meeting in London and Chelsea also met with Inter, but [Erik] Ten Hag was key.
“We are looking forward to facing great managers like [Pep] Guardiola and trying to win titles with Manchester United. We have a great desire to excel.”
Onana previously played under current United Ten Hag at Ajax – who he left as a free agent last summer, subsequently joining Inter.
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Andre Onana in passing drills
🎥 @rxnpixels pic.twitter.com/JykP56bWfJ— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) July 29, 2023
A changing of the guard in goal
The former Cameroon international established himself as one of the best ‘keepers in world football in 2022/23, helping Inter win the Coppa Italia and reach the final of the Champions League – where they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City.
He will succeed David de Gea as Man Utd number one, marking the first such change between the sticks at Old Trafford for 12 years.
Spurs have also made a move in the goalkeeping department this transfer window, bringing in Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli – seemingly to take over from Hugo Lloris.
Chelsea, however, look set to keep faith with Kepa Arrizabalaga as their last line of defence, having sold Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli.
