Manchester United’s pursuit of a new first-choice goalkeeper seems to be nearing its end, as reports suggest that they have reached a verbal agreement with Inter Milan to sign Andre Onana. This comes after the departure of long-standing goalkeeper David de Gea, who officially left Old Trafford after the expiration of his contract, concluding his impressive 12-year tenure in Manchester.

Onana, who has been hailed as a “superstar” by various members of the media, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League after spending just one season with Inter Milan. The Cameroonian international, who previously worked under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, showcased his talents in Italy, securing 19 clean sheets in 41 games and playing a vital role in Inter’s journey to the Champions League final against Manchester City. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Following the final in Istanbul, Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, praised Onana’s exceptional abilities with his feet, highlighting his remarkable passing and contribution to the team’s gameplay.

The personal terms between Manchester United and Onana were reportedly finalized at the beginning of the month, leaving only the negotiation of a transfer fee between the two clubs. However, recent updates indicate that this hurdle has been overcome, with journalist Rudy Galetti revealing on Twitter that a verbal agreement has been reached. According to Galetti, the fee is expected to be around £42 million initially, with an additional £5 million in add-ons. While some details still need to be ironed out, the transfer is on the verge of completion, as Onana is eager to join Manchester United.

While the acquisition of Onana appears to be progressing smoothly, Manchester United’s business in the transfer market may not end there. It has been reported that up to 13 players are available for sale, including center-forward Anthony Martial. If Martial departs, Erik ten Hag might find himself without a senior striker, potentially leading to Marcus Rashford, a left-winger, taking on a central role once again.

In addition to the goalkeeping reinforcement, Manchester United has been linked with signing a new forward. Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta has emerged as a player of interest, and it is believed that the club has made an offer involving a player exchange and a cash component for the Danish international. 

However, Atalanta is reportedly only interested in a cash payment and values the 20-year-old forward at around £85 million. Another potential option for Manchester United is Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt. As the deal for Onana nears completion, the club’s focus may shift to securing a new forward to further strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.