In a dramatic twist to the summer transfer window, Manchester United's move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana has been thrown into serious doubt. The Red Devils, who had identified the Cameroonian as their prime target to replace David de Gea, are facing a significant setback in negotiations.
The Serie A giants have performed a stunning U-turn on their initial valuation, now demanding a fee in excess of £50 million for their star player. This new asking price is a substantial increase from earlier discussions and has left United officials re-evaluating their options.
Erik ten Hag's Top Target in Jeopardy
New manager Erik ten Hag, who worked with Onana at Ajax, was desperate to be reunited with the 27-year-old, viewing him as the ideal modern goalkeeper for his system. Onana's exceptional ability with the ball at his feet is seen as a crucial upgrade for Ten Hag's desired style of play.
However, this sudden price hike from Inter Milan has created a major stumbling block. The Italian club's financial situation appears to have improved, lessening their urgency to sell and emboldening them to hold out for a top-dollar fee.
What This Means for David de Gea
The ongoing saga also casts further uncertainty over the future of long-serving keeper David de Gea. The Spaniard's contract officially expired at the end of June, and while talks over a new deal have been held, the club's pursuit of Onana clearly indicated a desire for change.
If a deal for Onana collapses, United may be forced to quickly re-engage with De Gea on a new contract or pivot to other targets, such as Porto's Diogo Costa or Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow.
This developing story is one of the most intriguing of the summer window, with United's entire goalkeeping strategy now hanging in the balance.
