Who is Andre Onana? - Ajax outcast wanted by Inter, Barcelona and Arsenal

Martin Macdonald

18 Oct 2021 13:14 CDT
6 min read

Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is wanted by Arsenal, Inter and Lyon — © ProShots

Andre Onana is currently in career limbo after receiving a ban for testing positive for a banned substance.

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In February of 2021, the Cameroonian was banned from playing football for 12 months by UEFA after testing positive for Furosemide.

That ban has now been reduced to nine months, but it has contributed to a breakdown in the relationship between the player and Ajax.

His current contract with the Dutch giants ends in the summer of 2022, and as he remains a talented goalkeeper, there is a long list of clubs looking to sign him as a free agent in January.

What position does Onana play in?

Onana plays as a goalkeeper.

How good is Onana?

Onana has enjoyed a burgeoning reputation over the last five years or so due to his exploits for Ajax.

He is 25 now so is already an established name, but will come to a crossroads this summer as his departure from Ajax is now inevitable.

Onana joined Barca in 2010 after graduating from the Samuel Eto'o Foundation.

He wouldn't make an appearance for the first team before leaving five years later for Ajax.

With the Dutch giants, he has won two Eredivisie titles, one KNVB Cup and was a runner-up in the Europa League.

He was also part of the side that so impressively reached the semi-finals of the 2019-20 Champions League.

Though his ban has undoubtedly derailed his career, Onana should be able to recover to become one of Europe's top keepers again.

After one particularly awesome performance for Ajax against Tottenham in the Champions League, the Cameroon international received massive praise from one Manuel Neuer.

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A post shared by André Onana (@andreonana.24)

"Hey Onana, it is Neuer from Munich. I'm your biggest fan, of course, you played a very good season for Ajax," Neuer said in a Twitter video.

"You and your guys deserved to be in the finals so don't be too sad maybe you will get any chance in the future to come back to the semi-final final and have a better result than the last one.

"Take care and enjoy the celebration with Ajax for the Cup and for the championship in your league. You did a great job and all the best in the future, my friend."

Onana is known for his shot-stopping as well as an aggressive command of his area.

What clubs are interested in Onana?

Barcelona will attempt to sign Onana as a free agent in 2022, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

At the moment, Barca are shopping in the free agent market due to their current financial situation.

The favourites to sign Onana next summer remain Inter, who believe they have a "verbal agreement" for the deal to happen at the conclusion of the campaign.

The Serie A side are looking for a long-term replacement for veteran stopper Samir Handanovic and like Barcelona, they cannot currently afford to spend big on transfers.

Arsenal have long been linked Onana, too, but will likely strengthen in other areas now after signing Aaron Ramsdale.

Other clubs interested are Lyon, Napoli and Atletico Madrid.