Man Utd star admits he ALMOST joined Chelsea or Arsenal

Cameron Smith

21 May 2024 18:30 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Chelsea, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has revealed he was close to joining Chelsea or Arsenal before signing for Ajax in 2016.

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The 28-year-old, who arrived at Old Trafford last summer, was a hot commodity upon deciding to leave Barcelona, but he opted for the promise of regular first-team football in the Eredivisie rather than the allure of the Premier League.

Onana was subsequently linked with a move to Chelsea during his time at Ajax, however he sealed a free transfer to Inter Milan instead, before joining Man Utd in 2023.

The Cameroon shot-stopper made 50 appearances during his debut campaign with the Red Devils, keeping 13 clean sheets in all competitions.

But, Onana has revealed that he could’ve been playing for one of Man Utd’s Premier League rivals had things panned out slightly differently.

What has Andre Onana said?

“To be honest, sometimes you have to accept the reality and you have to recognise that other people are good as well,” Onana told The Overlap (via The Mirror).

“I was 17, about to turn 18, and Barcelona brought in Marc-Andre ter Stegen who was 22. After three or four weeks, they bring in Claudio Bravo. Then I start to think there's not enough space for me.

© IMAGO - Andre Onana joined Man Utd in 2023

“I was looking for options at Arsenal or Chelsea, my agent spoke with them at that time, but in the end I decided to go to Ajax. For me, it was important to be in the first team somewhere and then we'll see what happens. When I had the opportunity to join Ajax, I was so happy.”

Onana made 214 first-team appearances during his seven-year stint at Ajax, winning six trophies, after spending the first 18 months of his time in Amsterdam in their youth set-up.

He replaced David de Gea as Man Utd’s number one goalkeeper last year after a one-year spell with Inter.