Manchester United have now reportedly taken the first step towards signing one of Africa's best players.
While rivals such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal already having either reached an agreement with a new player or confirmed an arrival, United's transfer plans have not had a major development as yet.
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The Red Devils have been chasing a number of players for various positions, including a striker and a midfielder, but with little progress on the attacking front, they are understood to have given up on their reported priority signing, Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, while Chelsea have so far rejected two bids from the Mancunians for playmaker Mason Mount.
United are also focused on acquiring a new goalkeeper, with current No. 1 David de Gea's future uncertain given that he has not signed a proposed new contract that includes a reduced salary, while he is also said to be considering big-money offers from Saudi Arabia too.
Manager Erik ten Hag has been clear in that he wants competition for the Spaniard if he stays on, and a few short-stoppers have been linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams as a result, including Everton skipper Jordan Pickford and Porto star Diogo Costa.
However, the club is now said to have made an approach for another goalkeeping candidate this week.
According to The Athletic journalist Dan Sheldon, United have made contact with the representatives of Inter Milan 'keeper Andre Onana.
The Italian giants find themselves in a complicated financial situation that requires them to sell some of their more valuable stars in order to balance their books ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
This had led to a number of their core players facing the prospect of being sold, including Onana, despite his arrival as a free agent just a year ago.
The Cameroon international was one of the standout goalkeepers in Europe last season as he helped his side to two Italian titles and a runners-up finish in the UEFA Champions League with 19 clean sheets in 41 games across all competitions.
With Onana's agent believed to currently be in England to engage with the Manchester team among other things, Inter are said to be looking for €60 million (R1.2 billion) to sell the 27-year-old.
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Having previously played 145 games under Ten Hag at Ajax Amsterdam – the most he has featured under any boss in his career to date – the African shot-stopper is vastly experienced in working with the Dutch manager and would understand what is required of him in the coach's system should he complete the move to Old Trafford.
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