‘All of a sudden, an email comes in offering over £50m’ – Exclusive: Shock Man United bid reveal as news emerges on Andre Onana
Man United paid £44million above Inter Milan’s original valuation for Andre Onana last summer, a well-connected recruitment expert has told Football Insider.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, ex-Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton senior scout Bryan King said he has been told via the Inter sporting director that the Italian giants were prepared to sell the Cameroon international for just “£6million”.
However, they were then “emailed an offer of over £50million” for the goalkeeper, which came as a huge shock to the hierarchy at the Italian giants.
Despite failing to impress after his mega-money move, the 27-year-old remains Erik ten Hag’s first-choice shot-stopper having started all of United’s games in all competitions.
Onana has made a number of high-profile mistakes in his debut season, including numerous errors in United’s disastrous Champions League campaign.
King, who is superbly connected in high-level football circles across European football, was in no doubt that the club’s poor recruitment will hinder their chances at winning the league title.
“Ten Hag hasn’t given me any confidence that Man United are a side that can win the Premier League,” King told the Inside Track podcast.
“That must come from the people he’s brought in.
“A friend of mine knows the sporting director at Inter Milan and they were prepared to let Onana go for about £6million.
“Then, all of a sudden, an email comes in offering over £50million for him.
“Of course, they’re not going to ask them to readjust their bid.”
Man United have been heavily criticised for their poor recruitment in recent windows under ten Hag, including huge fees paid for underperforming stars such as Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.
Onana is set to head to the African Cup of Nations this month, but the club reached an agreement with Cameroon to delay his call-up so he can play against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon (14 January).
In other news, Sources: Man United are ‘all over’ signing Belgian sensation as £50m fee revealed.