Manchester United enter ‘final stage’ of transfer for Andre Onana as £43m Inter Milan goalkeeper prepares to replace David de Gea

Andre Onana’s move from Inter Milan to Manchester United is at an advanced stage, according to sources close to the Cameroon goalkeeper.

It’s understood that a deal in the region of £43million plus add-ons is set to be completed this week once Onana has agreed personal terms.

Insiders say negotiations are entering the final stage and they do not anticipate any problems in the 27-year-old keeper teaming up with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag turned to Onana after deciding that David de Gea’s ability with the ball at his feet simply wasn’t up to what United require if they are going to play out from the back next season.

De Gea became a free agent on June 30 and confirmed over the weekend that he is leaving the club after 12 years. 

Onana is set to replace David de Gea at Old Trafford after the Spanish goalkeeper’s departure

Erik ten Hag previously worked with the Cameroonian shot-stopper during his time at Ajax

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Onana is set to become United’s new No.1 after the club triggered a 12-month extension in Tom Heaton’s contract to keep the veteran keeper as back-up for another season. Heaton is expected to play in United’s first pre-season friendly against Leeds in Oslo on Wednesday.

Dean Henderson has also returned to United after a season on loan at Nottingham Forest and remains another option if there are any snags in the Onana deal, although Henderson is currently recovering from an operation on a thigh muscle.

However, Henderson has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be on the bench and is primed to complete a permanent deal to Forest worth up to £20m if Onana joins United to become their second signing of the summer after Mason Mount moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea for £60m.

Heaton and Henderson are expected to be in the squad for United’s first pre-season friendly against Leeds in Oslo on Wednesday before the squad leave on tour for the US next week.

United will hope to have the Onana deal concluded before the tour begins so he can become their second signing of the summer after Mason Mount moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea for £60m.

In an emotional statement on Saturday, De Gea outlined his desire to pursue a ‘new challenge’ after his lengthy stint at Old Trafford.

Spending under Ten Hag at United is now set to exceed the £300m mark after three windows

De Gea took to Twitter on Saturday to confirm his Old Trafford exit after 12 years at the club

‘Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge to push myself again in new surroundings,’ he wrote.

‘I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.’

Captain Bruno Fernandes paid tribute to his outgoing team-mate and wrote: ‘You deserved to say goodbye to the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories.’

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